The Soul of an Animal

Leann Shamash
2 hours ago
3 min read

This week's post reflects a discussion we had in our Torah class this week.

כִּ֣י נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַבָּשָׂר֮ בַּדָּ֣ם הִוא֒ וַאֲנִ֞י נְתַתִּ֤יו לָכֶם֙ עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ לְכַפֵּ֖ר עַל־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑ם כִּֽי־הַדָּ֥ם ה֖וּא בַּנֶּ֥פֶשׁ יְכַפֵּֽר׃

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have assigned it to you for making expiation for your lives upon the altar; it is the blood, as life, that effects expiation.

In this injunction that Jews not consume the blood of an animal, we learn that the animal's soul ( נֶ֣פֶשׁ) is in the blood.

We veered from the original discussion of not consuming any blood and began to think about animals close to us, the pets with whom we share our lives for years. This concept opens up so many questions. What is a soul? Is the soul of an animal different than the soul of a human? The rabbis teach that there are multiple levels of souls, from nefesh, ruach to neshama. M’farshim speak about the soul of an animal being at a different level than the soul of a human, yet it is acknowledged that animals have feelings and do suffer pain. Scholars even debate whether animals are entitled to a piece of Olam Haba (the world to come) , with the majority saying that animals are not entitled to Olam Haba, with notable exceptions.

This week is packed with significant topics: a double Torah portion (Acharei Mot- Kedoshim), the counting of the Omer, Yom HaZikaron and Yom Ha’atzmaut, (And the Boston Marathon!) I’d like to hone in on dogs for a few moments, their brimming souls how they elevate the lives of their owners.

This piece was originally written for the siyum for Masechet Bava Kamma in 2024, where of page 83a the rabbis speak about the laws of owning a dog.

The mishna teaches: A person may not raise a dog unless it is tied with chains. The Sages taught in a baraita: A person may not raise a dog unless it is tied with a chain. But he may raise a dog in a city that is close to the border of the country, and in that case he should tie it during the day but may release it at night.

Bava Kamma 83a

There isn’t much said about dogs that is positive on Daf 83a, however as a person a long time dog owner, perhaps here I can glean some of the important lessons that Baba Kamma tries to teach us, including lessons of fairness and living and working as part of the larger community. Lessons in the profound responsibility of being the owner of a living creature.

On this 20th day of counting the Omer, here are some thoughts on our pets and how they impact us.

Written with heart and soul.

Leann

To be a dog owner is to increase the potential of kindness in one’s life.

To be a dog owner is to learn the art of optimism because dogs are nothing, if not hopeful.

Dogs give people, even evil people, the benefit of the doubt.

One learns that in the world of canines, whether a dog is large or small, whether the dog belongs to one who is rich or poor, dogs all share the same characteristics.

Dogs are a mirror of the people who handle them. With some exceptions, cruelty yields cruelty, abuse yields abuse and poor behavior is a result of poor training.

To own a dog forces one to think beyond oneself and one’s own immediate needs.

This is a good thing to practice.

To own a dog helps one to become a responsible member of the community, encouraging a person rise to higher community standards.

Owning a dog brings about conversation with neighbors.

Dogs bring smiles to us while they live, and salty tears when they leave us.

A dog cannot do teshuva, making amends for their bad behavior, but their owners can and through the changes their owners make, the dog can do better, too.

To be a dog owner gives an individual, in some strange way, the ability to see the world through a dog's eyes, where everything and everyone has potential.

To be a dog owner is to own hope.