תלמוד בבלי מסכת בבא מציעא דף פה עמוד א
מעשה באו מאי היא? דההוא עגלא דהוו קא ממטו ליה לשחיטה, אזל תליא לרישיה בכנפיה דרבי, וקא בכי. אמר ליה: זיל, לכך נוצרת. אמרי: הואיל ולא קא מרחם - ליתו עליה יסורין
What was the incident that caused suffering come to Rebbe [Rabbi Judah, the Prince]? A calf, when it was being taken to slaughter, went and hid under Rebbe [ Judah]’s cloak and cried. He said to it, ‘Go, for this you were created.’ In heaven they said, ‘Since he has no mercy, let suffering come upon him.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
Why does Rabbi Judah say 'for this you were created'?
Judaism allows us to kill animals for food, so why is Rabbi Judah punished?
Is it possible to be a meat eating society that still has mercy for animals?
Can you think of any examples of standards people have for how animals are raised and killed that seek to lessen the cruelty experienced by the animals involved?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)