A Look at Animal Favoritism through a Jewish Lens

There is a clear inconsistency in how society treats animals. We all know someone who spoils their dog like a baby, only to scroll past a video of factory-farmed cows or ignore the stray limping outside the local grocery store. The notion that “not all animals are created equal” can even be seen in Judaism in regards to clean versus unclean animals 1. This undoubtedly shines a lens on the deep-rooted problem of speciesism and carnism.

Let’s begin by breaking down what speciesism and carnism is. Speciesism refers to the unjustified privileging of one species over another, often humans over non-human animals, but also within the animal kingdom. Carnism, on the other hand, refers to favoritism within a species, such as preferring owned or “cute” animals over others.

But narrowing in on Hashem’s words, Judaism places great value on all animals and does not frame animals as inherently inferior. In fact, the Torah portrays animals as fellow creations, emerging from the same breath of divine life (Genesis 1–2 2). Humans are given dominion (Gen 1:26), but this is quickly redefined not as domination but as stewardship through Jewish laws that restrict cruelty. Whether an animal is wild or domesticated, useful or “pest-like,” the commandment of tza’ar ba’alei chayim (to minimize suffering of creatures) applies universally 3. So why have we created such a cognitive dissonance?

Perhaps one may choose to view Berachot 40a as stating “One must feed their animals before eating. 4” Since a wild animal is not “theirs,” it can be used to justify this disconnect even further. But even in terms of possession, mankind was given dominion … a responsibility over all animals, whether domesticated or wild.

From a halachic standpoint, this double standard is indefensible. The obligation of tza’ar ba’alei chayim is not based on usefulness, looks, or ownership status5.

We can even look at how invasive species are treated. On a pragmatic level, invasive species do cause harm to ecosystems and properties. Jewish law does recognize the need to protect human life and property, and even allows the killing of animals when there is a clear threat (e.g., rabid dogs6). But the question here is not if something should be done … it is how.

For example, in South Florida thousands of iguanas are killed or encouraged to be killed by residents due to property damage and their “invasive” status 7. Encouraging widespread, casual killing of iguanas violates the moral intentionality demanded in halacha. Even when animals must be killed, Jewish law insists on minimizing suffering and acting with reverence 8. This simply isn’t possible when the entire state is given free rein to kill iguanas. Aside from official wildlife authorities, there is certainly no regulation of how people are capturing and killing these creatures and no guarantees it is done with minimized suffering.

The classification of a species as “invasive” is often used to strip it of its moral claim to life. But the Mishnah (Avot 3:14) reminds us: “Beloved is every creature who is created in the image of God,” and renowned Orthodox Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch extended this to all beings as participants in Hashem’s world9.

Judaism also emphasizes tikkun olam—the repair of the world in which every being has a role. The extermination of any invasive species without seeking more sustainable, humane alternatives betrays this vision.

Adding a powerful layer of spiritual insight was Rav Avraham Yitzhak HaKohen Kook, first Chief Rabbi of pre-state Israel, who in Vision of Vegetarianism and Peace, we see him reinforce the nuance between animals.

“The impact of slaughtering an animal or bird which is for the most part hunted cannot be the same as that of slaughtering a domestic animal… And therefore the covering of the blood cannot be the practice with regard to domestic animals [whose blood, scripture says, should be poured like water 10.”

If the Torah commands ritual sensitivity even when shedding the blood of hunted animals, what does it say about our indifference to the daily suffering of ignored, injured, or starving cats and dogs in our neighborhoods? Surely this is not an “elevated morality.”

In regards to cats, an animal we most commonly find both domesticated and wild, Israel has an estimated 1–2 million stray cats, particularly in urban centers with densities of 700 per square kilometer 11. Meanwhile, domesticated house cats are loved, protected, and treated like members of the family.

This hypocrisy highlights the very essence of carnism: the value of an animal is determined not by its sentience but by its role in human lives. The pampered pet is “someone.” The street cat is “something.”

Conclusion

Jewish tradition does recognize differences between humans and animals and even among animals (e.g., kosher vs. non-kosher), but this distinction does not permit moral disregard. In fact, halacha demands that animals be treated with care, empathy, and attention to their suffering, regardless of whether they are pets, pests, or feral.

The treatment of stray cats and invasive iguanas may seem like marginal concerns. But they reveal the moral coherence — or incoherence — of our values. If we claim to be guardians of creation (shomrei adamah 12), then we must take seriously the dignity of all sentient life, not just those we welcome into our homes or synagogues. This also goes for human relationships between people from different backgrounds, religions, and moral beliefs.

In the words of Isaiah, “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb… and none shall hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain 13.” Lasting peace begins not in heaven, but with us.

---

1 Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14

2 Genesis 1–2

3 Proverbs 12:10; Shabbat 128b

4 Talmud Bavli, Berachot 40a

5 Bava Metzia 32b

6 Babylonian Talmud, Bava Kamma 83a

7 FWC Green Iguana Management Guidelines.” Florida Wildlife Commission, 2022

8 Deuteronomy 20:19, even wartime destruction of trees is regulated; Shabbat 128b

9 Hirsch, S. R. (1880). The Nineteen Letters on Judaism

10 Kook, A. I. (1920s). Vision of Vegetarianism and Peace (חזון הצמחונות והשלום)

11 “Street Cats in Israel: A National Concern.” Jerusalem Post, 2023

12 Genesis 2:15

13 Isaiah 11:6–9