Halakhah к Ийова 38:41

Whether denial of rights to animals is, or is not, barbaric is a value judgment regarding which reasonable men may differ. Whether or not Judaism actually denies such rights to animals is a factual matter which is readily discernible. The Bible abounds in passages which reflect concern for animal welfare. Concern for the welfare of animals is clearly regarded as the trait of a righteous person: "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast; but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel" (Proverbs 12:10). Divine concern for the welfare of animals is reflected in numerous passages: "And His tender mercies are over all His works" (Psalms 145:9); "The eyes of all wait for Thee, and Thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest Thy hand and satisfiest every living thing with favor" (Psalms 145:15-16); "He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry" (Psalms 147:9); "Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry unto God and wander for lack of food?" (Job 38:41); "… and should not I have pity on Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six score thousand persons … and also much cattle?" (Jonah 4:11); and "Man and beast thou preservest, O Lord" (Psalms 36:7). De minimis, these verses serve to establish the theological proposition that divine mercy extends, not only to man, but to members of the animal kingdom as well.