Having recently had another run-in with a friendly neighborhood dog, I looked a little deeper into theTorah's stance on animal rihghts.
In my research, I came accross a ruling that concluded that it is permissable to exterminatE rodentS.
The basis for allowing it was on the premise that while we are guided with Torah's clear and absolute mandate of concern for animal life, that does not come before the needs and basic comforts of human beings...
But humans don't always come first in the Torah.
1. In the story line - remember Genesis?
Six days of creation anything and everything (included mosquitos and cockroaches) preceded the creation of mankind (innovators of pesticide and doom).
2. In their Halachic status -
Last week we read an extensive description of which animals are Kosher and unKosher
Only this week do we read a very thorough description of pure and impure human beings.
Are you feeling a little dejected that G-d creates and classifies your Koi Fish before you?
Well, there's a message there...
On day one (of creation or classification) our Koi Fish actually have an advantage over us.
While we carry the liability of whether our time in the world will be spent productively or not, animals, whilst they may not be intellectually blessed, all serve G-d to the best of their capability.
That's the drawback that comes with free choice - something that only humans are blessed with - sometimes we make bad choices.
Animals, by virtue of not being empowered with free choice, unequivocally fulfill their purpose on the planet.
Do we?
Sometimes...
But don't get the wrong idea that since animals are "perfect by default" they come first.
In fact, while we are the only creation of G-d in the position to make bad or wrong decisions we also have exclusive rights to making good and right decisions.
And that's why we come last;
Because we are the final act that brings the whole show together;
We have the potential to bring all of creation, that all came before us - into it's ultimate state of a better world perfected and redeemed.
So don't be a mosquito on the wall letting life fly by.
Be a part of this magnificent world.
Take good decisions, right choices and make the world a better place - and yourself, a better person.
Wishing you a purposeful Shabbat,
And a Thanks to Asher for the continued inspiration!