Animal Rights And The Hebrew Bible

"In this book, the author considers whether there are biblical texts that ascribe an implicit form of legal personhood as well as genuine legal rights to animals and, if so, which rights, to which animals in particular-domesticated, wild, both- and for what purpose? He also explores how the evidence of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) might contribute to contemporary debate about animal rights in the academy, in the courts, in the public square and in religious communities. Given the increasing interest in the status of animals in the Americas, Europe and across the world, the strides forward made in recent years by animal rights advocates in any number of countries and sub-national constituencies, and the fact that experts in the biblical field have mainly ignored the question of animal rights, while non-specialists in law or philosophy who argue on behalf of animals have tended to read the Hebrew Bible superficially and in an overly generalizing manner, an exploration of what the Hebrew Bible has to contribute to the question of animal rights is both timely and necessary"--

An anthology of 41 articles from classical and contemporary sources, by rabbis, doctors, veterinarians, conservationists, philosophers, historians and activists on vegetarianism, ritual slaughter, animal research and its implications for modern health.

"In this book, the author considers whether there are biblical texts that ascribe an implicit form of legal personhood as well as genuine legal rights to animals and, if so, which rights, to which animals in particular-domesticated, wild, both- and for what purpose? He also explores how the evidence of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) might contribute to contemporary debate about animal rights in the academy, in the courts, in the public square and in religious communities. Given the increasing interest in the status of animals in the Americas, Europe and across the world, the strides forward made in recent years by animal rights advocates in any number of countries and sub-national constituencies, and the fact that experts in the biblical field have mainly ignored the question of animal rights, while non-specialists in law or philosophy who argue on behalf of animals have tended to read the Hebrew Bible superficially and in an overly generalizing manner, an exploration of what the Hebrew Bible has to contribute to the question of animal rights is both timely and necessary"--

“An excellent introduction to the field of animal studies . . . [the] applications of these ideas to biblical passages . . . illuminate the text in new ways." -- Brandon R. Grafius, Horizons in Biblical Theology Animal studies may be a recent academic development, but our fascination with animals is nothing new. Surviving cave paintings are of animal forms, and closer to us, as Ken Stone points out, animals populate biblical literature from beginning to end. This book explores the significance of animal studies for the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible. Combined with biblical scholarship, animal studies sheds useful light on animals, animal symbolism, and the relations among animals, humans, and God—not only for those who study biblical literature and its ancient context, but for contemporary readers concerned with environmental, social, and animal ethics. Without the presence of domesticated and wild animals, neither biblical traditions nor the religions that make use of the Bible would exist in their current forms. Although parts of the Bible draw a clear line between humans and animals, other passages complicate that line in multiple ways and challenge our assumptions about the roles animals play therein. Engaging influential thinkers, including Jacques Derrida, Donna Haraway, and other experts in animal and ecological studies, Reading the Hebrew Bible with Animal Studies shows how prehumanist texts reveal unexpectedly relevant dynamics and themes for our posthumanist age. “[Stone’s] ecological sensibilities, theoretical acumen, and incisive exegetical arguments open up fresh perspectives.” —Stephen D. Moore, The Theological School, Drew University “This monograph is poised to become a key work in the field.” —Anne Létourneau, Reading Religion “Groundbreaking.” —Carol J. Dempsey, OP, Horizons

Many commentators and users of the Bible have, over the centuries and up to the present day, used the Bible to argue that animals have no rights, that they were put on this earth for our use, and that we have no obligations to them. In his cogent, honest, and fully researched and referenced work, The Dominion of Love, Norm Phelps attempts to encourage all who revere the Bible as holy scripture to open their hearts to the suffering that we inflict upon our nonhuman neighbors. He shows that the right of animals not to be imprisoned, harmed, and killed for our benefit flows naturally from the Bible's message of love and compassion and argues that this is the message of the Bible's most important passages dealing with our relationship to animals. He further responds to the defenses of animal exploitation that are often made based on the Bible. Beautifully written, The Dominion of Love is an essential addition to a growing body of literature that argues for a compassionate and non-exploitative reading of Holy Scripture.

This book investigates the Old Testament rules of behavior and intercourse with animal life and welfare. The author deals with view of the biblical authors on the close relation of God the creator to all living creatures and his care for animals as well as human beings.

Animal law has become a topic of growing importance internationally, with animal welfare and animal rights often assuming center stage in contemporary debates about the legal status of animals. While nonspecialists routinely decontextualize ancient texts to support or deny rights to animals, experts in fields such as classics, biblical studies, Assyriology, Egyptology, rabbinics, and late antique Christianity have only just begun to engage the topic of animals and the law in their respective areas. This volume consists of original studies by scholars from a range of Mediterranean and West Asian fields on a variety of topics at the intersection of animals and the law in antiquity. Contributors include Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer, Beth Berkowitz, Andrew McGowan, F. S. Naiden, Saul M. Olyan, Seth Richardson, Jordan D. Rosenblum, Andreas Schüle, Miira Tuominen, and Daniel Ullucci. The volume is essential reading for scholars and students of both the ancient world and contemporary law.

A landmark publishing achievement on the subject, the new edition of this acclaimed encyclopedia is expanded to two volumes, covering the full range of issues related to animal protection. Expanded to two volumes, the comprehensively updated new edition, Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare: Second Edition is an extraordinary publishing event. It remains the only reference to cover the entire scope of animal rights and welfare from a global interdisciplinary perspective, with an international team of contributors assembled by Marc Bekoff covering animal treatment issues in the United States, China, India, Kenya, Australia, and many other nations. With a focused emphasis on fairness and justice for animals evident on every page, Encyclopedia of Animal Rights and Animal Welfare: Second Edition offers clear explanations of hot-button topics like puppy mills, endangered species in zoos, no-kill shelters, dog fighting, factory farming and disease, veganism, conservation ethics, wildlife contraception, and more. The encyclopedia also explores a range of religious, ethical, and philosophical views on using animals, as well as the latest research on animal cognition and sentience. The work helps readers understand the different viewpoints of animal welfare advocates who want to improve conditions for animals and animal rights activists who don't want animals used at all.