Dose of Halacha

Question: I invited a friend to join us on a trip to the zoo, but he declined, saying that he does not go to zoos. Why is that? After all, is there not a beracha to recite upon seeing certain animals? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 149a) teaches that one should not gaze at human or animal statues. The Meiri (Shabbos 149a) explains that looking at such images can have a negative spiritual influence. Based on this, R’ Moshe Greenwald (Arugas Habosem OC 39) writes that one should not look at animals either, and therefore ought not to visit zoos at all. However, R’ Ovadia Yosef (Yabia Omer OC 4:20; Yechave Daas 3:66) points out that the consensus of the rishonim is that this prohibition applies only to statues made for avoda zara . Otherwise, it is permitted to look at them (see Shach YD 142:33; Magen Avraham OC 307:23). He adds that even according to the stricter view, there is no issue with observing live animals. On the contrary, it serves as a way of marvelling at the wonders of H...

Question: I know that I am supposed to feed my pets before eating. Can I have a snack first? Answer: The Gemara (Berachos 40a) teaches that as one must not eat before feeding one’s animals, asking another to feed their animal does not constitute a hefsek , interruption, after reciting the beracha . Elsewhere (Gittin 62a) the Gemara writes that one must not even taste anything before eating (See Chayei Odom  5:11). The Rif (Berachos 28a) and Rosh (Berachos 6:22) write that one must not even taste, using the term tasting when writing about hefsek. However, the Taz (OC 167:7) and Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 167:9) write that one may have a snack before feeding one’s animals. Rambam (Avadim 9:8) records that the sages would feed their animals before eating their own meal. The Magen Avraham (167:18) quotes the Sefer Chassidim (531) who writes that one may drink before one’s animals. Thus, Rivka offered to feed Eliezer before feeding his camels (See Mishna Berura 167:40).   Th...

Question: We recently bought a pet rabbit. I read that one is supposed to feed one’s animals before eating. Can I feed my children first? Answer :   The Gemara (Berachos 40a; Gittin 62a) writes that one must not eat before feeding one’s animals. Therefore, if one said a beracha hamotzi and realised that they had not fed their animal, it would not be considered a hefsek to ask another to do so before eating. While Rambam (Avadim 9:8) writes that this halacha is midas chasidus, an act of piety (See Chayei Adam 5:11; N ishmas Adam 5:11), other poskim (Shevus Yaakov 3:13; Aruch Hashulchan OC 167:13, Biur Halacha 167:6) maintain that it is a mitzva derabanan while the Magen Avraham (271:12) writes that it is mideoraisa. R’ Moshe Feinstein (Igros Moshe OC 2:52) writes that one must feed one’s young children before one’s animals. Once one’s children are old enough to take food themselves, however, they should feed the animals first (See Rivevos Ephraim 6:56:2; 92). The ...

Question:   I know that some have the minhag to put bread out for birds on parshas beshalach . Does that mean that we can feed the ducks in the park on Shabbos? Answer: The Gemara (Shabbos 155b) teaches that while one may feed one’s own animals, one may not feed stray animals on Shabbos that don’t depend on them for food. According to Rashi, this is to avoid one performing extra tircha , bothersome acts, on Shabbos. Rambam (Shabbos 21:35), however, understands that the reason is to prevent one breaking Shabbos when preparing the food. Thus, t he Shulchan Aruch (OC 324:11) writes that one may feed one’s own animals and any other animals that depend on one for food on Shabbos. The Mishna Berura (Biur Halacha 324:14) extends this to feeding someone else's pets. One may not, however, go to the park and feed the birds. The Magen Avraham (324:5) writes that as there is a mitzva to feed stray dogs one may feed them on Shabbos, too (See Mishna Berura 324:31; Aruch Hashulchan OC 324:2)....

Question:  Do I need to feed my pet fish kosher l’pesach food over Pesach? Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 21b) teaches that one may not have any benefit from, or even own chametz over Pesach. Thus, the Shulchan Aruch (OC 443:1) writes that one must not feed one’s animal chametz over Pesach. One may not even instruct a non-Jew to do so on their behalf (ibid. 448:7). However, the Mishna Berura (448:33) and Aruch Hashulchan (OC 448:12) write that one may sell their animal to a non-Jew for the duration of Pesach. It is best to sell the animal with one’s chametz to ensure that the transaction is carried out in a halachically accepted manner, and the animal should be removed to the non-Jew’s property. One should not sell the animal along with its chametz food as that is giving the impression that one is using a tricky loophole to feed one’s animal with chametz. Although Ashkenazim do not eat kitniyos on Pesach, they are allowed to own and benefit from it. Thus, one may feed...

Question:  We recently got a pet rabbit. Are we allowed to play with her on Shabbos? Answer: The Shulchan Aruch (OC 308:39) writes that animals and birds are muktza and so must not be moved on Shabbos (See Shabbos 128b) . Tosafos (Shabbos 45b) and the Mordechai (Shabbos 316) write that there is a view that as children can play with pets, they serve a practical use. Nonetheless, they write that animals are muktze , comparing them to figs and grapes which are in the process of drying. Likewise, the Maggid Mishna (Shabbos 25:25) explains that animals are considered to have no practical use on Shabbos (See Mishna Berura 308:146). The Shulchan Aruch Harav (OC 308:78) adds that this prohibition applies even to giving a pet bird to quieten a crying child (See Shemiras Shabbos Kehilchasa 27:n101). R’ Ovadia Yosef ( Yabia Omer OC 5:26 ) quotes other poskim who don’t consider animals to be muktze but writes that we follow the great rishonim such as the Rosh who disagrees. The Mis...

The Gemara (Berachos 40a, Gittin 62a) writes that one mustn't eat before feeding one’s animals. Thus, if one said a Beracha Hamotzi and realised that they hadn't fed their animal, it wouldn't be considered a hefsek to ask another to do so before eating. Interestingly, Rambam (Avadim 9:8) writes that this issue is midas chasidus (See Chayei Adam 5:11 n11) and other poskim (Aruch Hashulchan 167:13, Biur Halacha 167:6) hold that it is derabanan. The Magen Avraham (OC 271:12), however, holds that it is mideoraisa. While the Taz (OC 167:7) allows one to have a snack or taste food before feeding one’s animals, most poskim (Rosh Berachos 6:22, Magen Avraham 167:18, Mishna Berura 167:40) don’t even allow that, though the Mishna Berura concedes that one may drink first. R’ Yaakov Emden (She’elas Yaavetz 1:17) writes that birds and fish are included (See Piskei Teshuvos OC 167:15). One away from home must arrange for another to feed one’s pets before eating. R’ Moshe Feinst...