Musar for Bava Metzia 63:12
מצאה ברפת אינו חייב: א"ר יצחק והוא שעומדת תוך לתחום מכלל דברשות הרבים ואפילו בתוך התחום נמי חייב
<b><i>GEMARA</i></b>. Raba said: The STABLE referred to is one which neither causes [the animal] to stray nor is it guarded.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., it is in such a position that there is nothing to cause the animal to run away; on the other hand, it is unlocked, and there is nothing to prevent it from going. ');"><sup>10</sup></span>
Mesilat Yesharim
Included in this matter is to not cause pain to any creature, even animals, and to show mercy and concern towards them. Likewise scripture states: "the righteous man knows the soul of his beast" (Mishlei 12:10) (Rashi-what his beast needs), and according to some of our sages (Shabbat 128b), to cause pain to an animal is a biblical prohibition, while to others it is at least a Rabbinical prohibition.
Ask RabbiBookmarkShareCopy