Responsa for Bava Metzia 64:9
לימא מסייע ליה בהמת עובד כוכבים מטפל בה כבהמת ישראל אי אמרת בשלמא צער בעלי חיים דאורייתא משום הכי מטפל בה כבהמת ישראל אלא אי אמרת צער בעלי חיים לאו דאורייתא אמאי מטפל בה כבהמת ישראל התם משום איבה
whether the owner joins him [in relieving the animal] or not? — In truth, [relieving] the suffering of an animal is Biblically enjoined; for do you think that 'EXEMPT' means entirely exempt? Perhaps he is exempt [from doing it] without payment, yet he is bound [to unload] for payment, Scripture ordering thus: When the owner joins him, he must serve him for nought; when the owner abstains, he must serve him for payment;<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., he must relieve the animal, but is entitled to demand payment. ');"><sup>9</sup></span>
Explore responsa for Bava Metzia 64:9. In-depth commentary and analysis from classical Jewish sources.