[Avodah] Does the issur of tzar baalei chayim (the prohibition against causing pain for animals) apply to non-Jews as well?

[Prof. L. Levine]

>From today's OU Kosher Halacha Yomi


Q. Does the issur of tzar baalei chayim (the prohibition against causing pain for animals) apply to non-Jews as well?

A. The Aishel Avrohom – Butchach (OC 305:13) writes that non-Jews are not included in this prohibition, since this is not one of the seven Noahide laws. The Pri Migadim, as well, implies that this prohibition does not apply to non-Jews. However, Sefer Chasidim (12th Century – siman 666) writes that non-Jews are included in this prohibition, since we find that the angel rebuked Bilaam (who was a non-Jew) for hitting his donkey (Bamidbar 22:32). Additionally, it can be argued that even if there is no formal prohibition for a non-Jew, they are nonetheless morally bound not to mistreat animals. Igeros Moshe (YD 2:130) proves that both Jews and non-Jews are held accountable for negative midos, even though they are not formally included in the 613 mitzvos or the 7 Noahide laws.

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