Thu, November 12, 2009
Is Fur a Jewish Issue?
Richard H. Schwartz
Jewish worshipers chant every Sabbath morning, “The soul of every living being shall praise
God’s name.” Yet, some come to synagogue during the winter months wearing coats that require
the cruel treatment of animals.
Judaism has beautiful and powerful teachings with regard to showing compassion to animals.
Moses and King David were considered worthy to be leaders of the Jewish people because of
their compassionate treatment of animals when they were shepherds. Rebecca was judged
suitable to be a wife of the patriarch Isaac because of her kindness in watering the ten camels of
Eliezer, Abraham’s servant. Rabbi Yehuda the Prince, the redactor of the Mishna, was punished
for many years at the hand of Heaven for speaking callously to a calf being led to slaughter who
sought refuge beside him.
Many Torah laws mandate proper treatment of animals. One may not muzzle an ox while it is
working in the field nor yoke a strong and a weak animal together. Animals, as well as their
masters, are meant to rest on the Sabbath day. The importance of this concept is indicated by
the fact that it is mentioned in the Ten Commandments and on every Sabbath morning as part
of the kiddush ceremony.
The Pain of Fur-Bearing Animals
Fur is obtained from animals who are either trapped or raised on ranches. Both involve
treatment of animals that is far from Jewish teachings of compassion.
Animals caught in steel-jaw leg hold traps suffer slow, agonizing deaths. Some are attacked by
predators, freeze to death, or chew off their own legs to escape. It has been said that one can get
a “feel for fur” by slamming your fingers in a car door.
Over 100 million wild animals are killed for their pelts every year. Many species of animals
killed for their furs have become endangered or have disappeared completely from some
regions. Millions of animals not wanted by trappers, including dogs, cats, and birds, die in traps
annually and are discarded as “trash animals.” Many trapped animals eave behind dependent
offspring who are doomed to starvation.
Treatment of animals raised on “fur ranches” is extremely cruel. Confined to lifelong
confinement, millions of foxes, beavers, minks, ocelots, rabbits, chinchillas, and other animals
await extinction with nothing to do, little room to move, and all their natural instincts thwarted.
The animals are simply a means to the maximizing of production and profit, and there is no
regard for their physical, mental, or emotional well-being. Because of the enforced confinement
and lack of privacy, naturally wild animals often exhibit neurotic behaviors such as compulsive
movements and self mutilation. The animals finally suffer hideous deaths by electrocution, by
29 of 104
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102