Let the Animals Teach Us TOV!

I suppose when you are someone who is intimately close with nature and who depends on the earth garden to provide sustenance, there is a greater understanding and respect for the earth and the creatures with which we share space and resources.  But, many of us today do not have those strong connections with the land and sea. We don't farm, fish, raise animals, or hunt.

The closest I get to the land and the sea for my needs is Whole Foods! I love and appreciate the beauty of creation. I'm fascinated by the sheer variety of creatures that exist and thinking about how the planet works. It's absolutely amazing. Those who know me, know I'm not the outdoorsy type, but I have very strong feelings about the treatment of both the earth and its creatures. 

Jewish tradition views animals as belonging to the Creator, thus they are not to be treated with cruelty, made to suffer, or tortured. In Genesis 1, where the concept of TOV is revealed, animals are given an "earth-soul" and it endowed them with their basic instincts, needs and desires. Humans were also created with an earth-soul, but they were also created with the Spirit of the Creator. So, humans share an earth-soul with the animals, but the Spirit distinguishes us from all other creatures. Humans occupy the unique position between the Creator and the animals.

The Creator endowed humans with the responsibility to protect, care for and nourish these creatures. He also endowed humans with the power to subdue their "earth-soul” or “animalness." We have the power to choose to reveal the image of the Creator or the image of a wild animal through the choices we make. It is important for us to understand and act like we are part of Creation not separate from it or above it.

The Creator judged His/Her actions by the TOV Standard -- to see if they protected life, preserved life, made life more functional, and increased the quality of life. When we use the TOV Standard we reveal the image of the Creator in our generation. But today, a lot of people are using a different standard to judge what they do -- how much money they can make or what something’s worth. They fail to take into consideration how each of their decisions may affect the rest of the creation. Never forget that humans destroy and make creatures extinct, at our own peril. This is what can happen when humans fail to subdue their “animalness!”

I posted a video about Koko, the Gorilla that signs (click here). She was being visited by Betty White, whom I love. Betty pointed out that connection between humans, and in this case, Koko. Looking into each other's eyes, she saw that spark that binds all creation together. This can only be seen and experienced when we open our minds and hearts and accept responsibility for our actions concerning them.

The Yardstick for the treatment of the earth and the animals with whom we share a soul – and our fellow humans -- is the Creator’s TOV Standard. If we use it to judge our Thoughts, Words and Acts to see if they will result in Life being Protected, Preserved, Made More Functional and Quality being Increased – then we will improve our world. On the other hand, if allow our “animalness” to go unsubdued – then our Thoughts, Words, and Acts will result in Life Being Destroyed and Harmed, Threatened, Made Less Functional, and Quality Decreased. That is the opposite of TOV – the Torah calls it RA (evil).

Do TOV, Choose Life, Reveal the Image of the Creator!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

PS – We would appreciate your help:

(1) If you like this blog, please visit our TOV Center Facebook Page by clicking here and “Like It.” 

(2) Share this with others.

(3) Show your support of our work by making a donation – click here.