# Respect All Creatures: Do not eat the flesh of an animal while it is still alive | Moshiach Life

> It is forbidden to eat meat taken from an animal while it is still alive. This law teaches basic compassion and respect for animals. Although people are…

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# Respect All Creatures

Do not eat the flesh of an animal while it is still alive

Law 6 of 7

It is forbidden to eat meat taken from an animal while it is still alive. This law teaches basic compassion and respect for animals. Although people are permitted to eat meat, they must never cause unnecessary cruelty to living creatures.

G-d created living creatures in the world, and we must respect their existence. As opposed to the flora, which is renewed continuously, harm to animals is irreversible. Although the Torah is not negating the eating of meat, it sets strict limits to the ability of a person to use animals for his needs. This commandment, which obliges us not to be indifferent even to the suffering of an animal, enhances also our obligation to be aware of another person’s sorrow, not to hurt him and to help him come out of his distress.

In practice

The prohibition to eat a limb or tear out a limb from an animal while it is still alive.

## A deeper look

G-d gives man “dominion over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the heaven, over cattle, and over all of the earth.”

We are caretakers of G-d’s creation. Ultimately our responsibility extends beyond our family, even beyond society, to include the world of nature.

Eating meat so fresh that the animal is still alive may be healthy, but it is cruel, even barbaric, displaying a decadent insensitivity to the pain of others.

This law is the touchstone, if you will, that measures how well the other six laws are being observed.

When man fulfills his potential, the whole of creation is nurtured and elevated to realize its goal. This transforms the world into a beautiful gem: a place where G-d can dwell.

## Further reading

- [The Seven Laws The full essay on the Noahide laws and a better world](https://moshiach.life/learn-about-moshiach/the-seven-laws/)

## Books on the Seven Laws

- [The Divine Code (Rabbi Moshe Weiner) Ask Noah International](https://moshiach.life/shop/the-divine-code/)
- [Go(o)d for You: The Divine Code of 7 Noahide Commandments (booklet) Ask Noah International](https://moshiach.life/shop/good-for-you-booklet/)
- [Seven Gates of Righteous Knowledge Ask Noah International](https://moshiach.life/shop/seven-gates-of-righteous-knowledge/)

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