The Jewish Ethicist: Judaism and Hunting

Q. Does Judaism permit hunting for sport?

A. Hunting has been a popular pastime since ancient times, and continues to be a popular sport today. Over ten million hunting licenses are taken out each year in the United States alone, showing that hunting is one of America's most popular sports. There is no reason to doubt that hunting is on the whole a harmless sport practiced by worthy individuals. However, it is necessary to acknowledge that Jewish tradition has a very poor regard for this pastime.

The first hunter we meet in the Torah is Nimrod. The Torah tells us:

Cush was the father of Nimrod, who was the first to amass power in the world. He was a mighty hunter before God. There is thus a saying, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before God!' The beginning of his kingdom was Babylon, along with Erekh, Akkad and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. (Genesis 10:8-10, paraphrase of Living Torah translation)

While the Torah merely states that he "amassed power," our sages describe Nimrod as a wicked tyrant who sought to usurp God.

The second is Esau, who is unfavorably compared with his brother Jacob in the following verse (Genesis 25:27, paraphrase of Living Torah translation): "The boys grew up. Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a scholarly man who remained with the tents." As we know, Jacob became the patriarch of the Jewish people, while the progeny of Esau are often identified in the prophets with Israel's enemies.

The heroes of the Bible are generally herders, people who cultivate and nurture animals rather than merely pursue them. Abel found favor with God because of this pursuit; subsequently, all three of our patriarchs as well as King David were herders.

The Torah does not forbid hunting, and specifically refers to hunting wild animals for food (Leviticus 17:13, Living Torah translation): "If any man, whether of the family of Israel or a proselyte who joins them, traps an animal or bird that may be eaten and spills its blood, he must cover [the blood] with earth." But note that the verse is careful to specify that the prey is an animal that may be eaten; even in this case, the animal must not be killed by the hunt but rather must be ritually slaughtered like a domesticated animal. Furthermore, in this case the Torah imposes the special commandment of covering the blood. This is over and above the general prohibition on eating the blood described at length in the same passage; both have the object of ensuring that eating meet does not become a "blood-thirsty" pursuit, a danger which is greater in the case of hunting, even the permissible variety.

I believe that Judaism's approach to hunting was well summarized by the great 18^th century authority Rabbi Yechezkel Landau, who was asked by a congregant if it was permissible to hunt for sport. Rabbi Landau concluded that hunting would not be considered cruelty to animals insofar as the animal is generally killed quickly and not tortured. But he concludes: I am very surprised at the whole subject; we don't find any hunters [in our tradition] besides Nimrod and Esau, and this is not the way of the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. . . There is an unseemly element in it, namely cruelty, and also a measure of danger. . . Therefore, one who listens to me will dwell securely and placidly in his house and not waste his time with such things".(1)

The main considerations involved here are the kind of character traits hunting is likely to develop or express. Certainly there is a sportsmanlike challenge in the battle of wits and wiles against animals, and when hunting is carried out in accordance with regulations it may be harmless to wildlife. Even so, the ultimate goal is to kill the prey, and as a result the pursuit risks cultivating a person's tendency to cruelty or aggression.

Hunting can also be more dangerous than other sports, and as a result doesn't sit well with Judaism's extreme emphasis on the value of human life. Thus, even in instances where there is no specific prohibition Rabbi Landau expresses concern for cruelty and danger and urges finding a more productive pastime.

SOURCES: (1) Responsa Noda beYehuda II Yoreh Deah 10

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Published: February 13, 2011

Visitor Comments: 29

(23) Sam, February 4, 2013 4:30 AM

With out a death from hunting, then what ?

I am not a hunter but I am Jewish. One thing I can't help ponder is how animals die when it’s a “natural death” in the wild. It’s most certainly a cruel death by disease or predator compared to a hunter. The visualization of jackals or coyotes tearing an old, sick, or young animal apart in the process of eating it alive compared to a hunter’s bullet is a terrible contrast. So when people hunt to stop starvation from overpopulation or being taken naturally by cruel unthinking predators, I do have to wonder what HaShem would want us to do ? It’s not an easy answer for sure. Perhaps when as partners with HaShem we perfect the world we will all eat as Adam and Chava did in Gan Eden. I have a hard time buying meat in a kosher market thus shielding myself from the unpleasant task of slaughtering the animal myself and koshering the meat. So it’s a hard issue. I don’t see hunting as a past time but as a skill used to feed people and manage wild life in contrast of how they die in nature. It’s a difficult and personal question all of us who eat flesh must face. I wish I had been brought up not eating meat at all just so I could be out of the whole equation.

(22) Bill, July 8, 2012 12:56 PM

Hunting is a God-given right...

Nothing is more satisfying than a good kill! Not only is there enjoyment in stalking the creature and bringing it down, but there's the preparation of the carcass and plenty of good meat afterwards, if required. It gives the individual a sense of power and purpose, and an adrenaline rush like no other. It helps develop special skills: it takes much practice to hit a deer cleanly between the eyes. Compassion and morality are irrelevant: "animals" exist for human use in whichever way they see fit. (Although humans are technically "primates" , they are a special case. However, other primates do make excellent hunting material when the opportunity arises!). Lastly, billions of animals are slaughtered every-day, usually by having their throats slit on a production line after spending their lives in cages. So why even question the killing of a few million animals by those who enjoy doing it themselves in a natural environment?

Yonah, September 3, 2012 3:40 AM

If you don't know how, please don't

Aside from the fact that this article is based on Torah, and these comments are not, Bill obviously doesn't know the first thing about hunting. I'm not a hunter, but anyone who has done even a little reading about it knows that no one tries to shoot a deer "between the eyes" -- or any other animal, for that matter -- especially with a bow and arrow. It's not the "kill zone", and I imagine that it would ruin the trophy too :-)

(21) Half Sigma, February 10, 2012 8:52 PM

Disagree with spin of this article

It sounds to me that you are putting a modern liberal spin on something that was never traditionally found distasteful. The ancient Hebrew were shepherds not hunters because there isn't any good hunting in the Middle East. When Jews moved to Europe and the U.S. where there are forests with kosher animals roaming around, there isn't any reason why Jews shouldn't go hunting, especially considering it's implicitly endorsed by Leviticus 17:13. I think the Torah makes it clear that Hashem wanted us to eat meat.

(20) MIke, November 15, 2011 2:39 PM

Monetary Loss

What is a monetary loss is involved? We have many deer who are destroying landscaping. Would it be permitted for us to allow our non-Jewish staff and others from the local community to kill the deer?

(19) Artie, October 12, 2011 9:45 AM

Cruelty is Inherent in Hunting

A huge problem is that whether or not the meat of the slain animal is eaten, cruelty is inherent in hunting. There is a high injury and crippling rate, for instance, in duck and goose hunting. Millions are injured each year by hunters and not retrieved nor eating. In archery, it's common to leave a deer or other ungulate to die for a half hour minimum, sometimes, many hours more before tracking. Bad shots lead to miserable suffering for the animals. And because this is a general characteristic of hunting, I do not believe it's acceptable except as abject necessity. Very little hunting in modern culture is abject necessity, especially when one considers the over-consumption of meat by most westerners.

Anonymous, September 3, 2012 3:59 AM

Bad shots common

I've seen several hunting videos lately: One on YouTube, a boy recorded by his father shooting his first deer FIVE times with a compound bow before finally killing him. He first hit him in the neck. This is irresponsible (and the boy didn't look too happy either). Another one on one of the hunting gear sites showed a seasoned hunter that didn't kill his prey with his compound bow, and was unable to track him. He talked about how he couldn't sleep that night because he didn't come home with his big buck, not because he caused the unnecessary suffering of an animal. I'm not against hunting per se, but you do tend to see this blood-thirsty elation over the kill and the trophy. Some people do indeed need the meat to survive, and they live on it all winter (I doubt if most use every part of the animal, like the Indians did). There is no question that our insane need for another Walmart destroys more of our environment and kills more wildlife, but that's not really the issue. Anyway, in the end, a Jew can not eat the meat of an animal that was not killed properly according to Jewish law (which is designed to eliminate the animal's suffering). On top of it, when the animal dies in pain, it releases hormones and other chemicals into the meat that is then consumed by the human that eats it. That must have some effect on the human.

Trevor, October 24, 2012 4:08 PM

Cruelty is inherent in the animal world. Remove humans from the mix and the day to day existence of a wild animal is no less stress free. Deer populations and most other game animals in the US are managed. With the absence of large predators, when left unchecked deer populations explode. Cruelty is allowing emaciated and starving deer to wander around looking for food. The first commenter, Bill, is obviously not a hunter. No hunter I know gets a sense of "power or purpose" from killing an animal. Most are sober minded adults who take no great enjoyment in killing for killing's sake. Only someone who has spent no time in the natural world would be so deluded about hunting.

(18) Know not, August 5, 2011 3:52 AM

Receiving prey as a gift.

1)Not all hunting is beguiling an animal, but a prayer to be fed. 2)A wild animal killed lived till it's last moment in freedom. As opposed to domesticated animals. 3)The two biggest causes of species extinction are urban development and then agriculture. Hunting creates food source from a forest that supports life for a variety of plants and animals, whereas agriculture promotes sterility and monoculture at the cost of valuable habitat. Every agricultural plot is former habitat and equates to suffering animals, whether one is aware of it or not. Hunting looks at the cost of life directly in the eye.

Yonah, September 3, 2012 6:39 AM

Wild v Domesticated

The idea that wild animals are free and domesticated animals are not is a very romantic notion. However, the reality is that wild animals are subject to disease and vermin, harsh and unfavorable weather conditions, food and water shortages, and non-human predators. Domesticated animals are well cared for, well sheltered, well fed and watered, and well protected.

(17) Aviel, February 16, 2011 5:54 PM

Hunting...

is a good pastime if all things are kept in perspective. Everyone I know, living here in the Northwest, eats the animals that are hunted. This includes deer, elk, ducks, and geese, as well as fish. With the high cost of food, this is an important part of life here. Stats show that boys and girls who grow up with hunting and firearms training are far less likely to commit crimes and have a better respect for both nature and the firearms used. All the animals that I have harvested have always ended up on the dinner table. Shalom!

(16) Andy, February 16, 2011 4:54 PM

Excellent article .Our sages say Essau had great potential had he worked with Yaacovand recognized his wisdom. The man of the field and tent dweller are both neccessary .Many valid comments in rebuttal.

I've been attracted to hunting but never indulged for reasons the author cites. If one is in need of food it seems perfectly OK but for sport? I'd say the same re boxing ,football many other activities where inflicting physical pain on others is the goal or at best unavoidable. I do experience some pleasure watching those sports but same holds true for hearing some gossip, or seeing immodestly clad women I suspect that the enjoyment does not come from a spiritual place[godly soul] and I agree with Rabbi Landau that Jews in general and a ben Torah in particular need not be involved. That said I think 5 10 and 11 made valid comments

(15) Ariel, February 16, 2011 4:52 PM

hunting

Nimrod was the founder of the pagan religion of Babylon. That religion had human sacrifices and cannibalism. I seriously doubt that Nimrod was hunting deer or any type of animal fit for consumption. Isaac told Esau to go get some game and make it the way I like it and bring it to me to eat. Then I will bless you before I die. I think Esau used to bring Isaac some of his game prior to this scene in the Torah, because of the fact he knew how his father liked it to be fixed. I rest my case.

(14) ruth housman, February 16, 2011 12:44 AM

hunting

I am so glad to have read this. I personally consider hunting for sport, something I could not in conscience condone. And yet I know many who do this. For me, there is this question, how can it be fun to kill an animal, for no reason really, but for the joy of running it down. That is so inimical to my way of thinking. I hate the whole idea. Yes, people do hunt for survival. When the American Indian did this it was with great sorrow, and reverence for the killed animal. There was a sense of the sanctity of that life. That to me, is a soul thing, and that at least I can deeply comprehend. But the joy of it, is not something I will ever comprehend. Better a shooting range with a moving target that is not alive.

(13) Rachel, February 16, 2011 12:17 AM

what about hunting to contain animals?

1. Sometimes communities (in the US) will permit hunting to cull overpopulation, even of herbivores who may starve in winter if there are too many grazing animals. 2. It is also sometimes necessary to kill wild carnivores if they are threatening a human-inhabited area. (This can include either specific animals that have attacked humans, or any animals of the species that are threatening humans and livestock in the area.) I am guessing that since Judaism does not completely forbid hunting, it would be permitted in these instances (esp. the second), but I'd appreciate hearing from the author.

Anonymous, September 3, 2012 6:45 AM

Culling the herd?

Good point, Rachel. I think that protection from a threatening wild animal is obviously permitted and necessary. I'd also be interested to know about culling the herd, for the benefit and health and well-being of the herd itself.

(12) Sam S., February 15, 2011 9:59 PM

What about fishing?

It seems that the Torah takes a much kinder eye to the sport of fishing? Why is this? Let's assume that one fishes to eat the fish.

(11) Katya~U.S.A., February 15, 2011 8:50 PM

WOULD YOU RATHER THEY STARVE TO DEATH?

Perhaps educating yourselves to the plight of overpopulous wildlife: the elk shot by the government in Estes Park or the wolves in Yellowstone Park. Alligators, non-native pythons and wild boars in FL. How about animals that starve to death in winter? Starving to death is horrendous. Hunting is a humane way to end the life of a wild animal that would otherwise starve or be systematically killed. Animals don't have souls. Are you this concerned about all of the aborted babies, children in the sex trade and human trafficking?

(10) James in Florida, February 15, 2011 8:31 PM

hunting is a field sport that provides recreation and food

I was a hunter for about 50 years . I stopped only because of age and inability to withstand the riggors of true hunting . ( 86) hunting birds provides many fine meals to the hunter and family and wild game such as deer does provide food to boys homes etc . I know cause thats what I did . they welcome the help. James

(9) PPSchneider, February 15, 2011 5:45 PM

Hunting for Sport is unethical

Hunting as a sport is unethical. One hunts if one needs food, otherwise it is just killing for sport. As much as I appreciate that hunters really care about the wilderness, it is still no excuse to kill another living thing unless one needs food. I agree that there is horror at the slaughterhouses, and that must be addressed. Slaughternouse horror is of no less consequence than hunting. And as for fishing, the rules are the same. Unless you need that fish for food, there is no ethical reason to kill it.

(8) Brian, February 15, 2011 5:37 PM

Hunting & Judaism

Hunting is antithetical to Judaism which has concern for animal welfare even requiring animals to rest on Shabbat. I am a Jewish vegetarian living in Israel and look forward to the day when we return to not eating animals as before the flood. I know Orthodox Judaism frowns on vegetarianism but we'd all be better for it ,not to mention the animals!

(7) David, February 15, 2011 5:26 PM

Hunting

I think the author missed the biggest problem here-- hunting (as generally practiced today) involves shooting an animal, in which case the animal is not kosher. Hunting for the sake of killing something seems wrong; hunting for the sake of food seems no worse (and, quite possibly, better) than eating food raised and slaughtered in modern agriculture.

(6) Marden Paru, February 15, 2011 5:12 PM

The Noda B'yehudah was Chief Rabbi of Prague

Rabbi Yecheskel Landau was my great grandfather quite a few generations ago and became known by the title of his sefer of responsa, the Noda B'yehuda. In the frontice of the book are all the generations of rabbis in our family going back to Rashi. Than you for citing him.

(5) Mike in NY, February 15, 2011 4:54 PM

Not cruel or overly dangerous

I have to disagree with the assessment that hunting is dangerous and cultivates cruelty. Firearm sports in general are much safer than other sports. You are not trying to tackle anyone, throw a small hard ball at speeds approaching 100mph, or trying to run and kick a ball away from other people. Again, generally hunting is about being in nature and enjoying the outdoors. Unless hunting is to provide food for sustenance, harvesting an animal is secondary to going into the field and enjoying that experience. A quick kill benefits the hunter as well as the animal. I doubt anyone would go through the expense and time required to go hunting in order to act out cruelty. Someone like that will find an easier way to "fulfill" that desire. While the meat is not kosher, hunting for the purpose of donating the meat to a non-kosher soup kitchen or pantry fulfills several mitzvot.

(4) Stephen Lockwood, February 15, 2011 4:44 PM

1 Samuel 26:20 Hunting

I am a person who enjoys hunting, but am somewhat troubled by the lack of reference in the Tanach about hunting itself. appreciate your pointing out that there are really only two references by the writers of two prominant hunters, yet I find the above reference to hunting by (at the time) servant David to King Saul about hunting partridges. I derive from that statement that hunting was not unknown. Could I therefore derive from this discussion that there is no prohibition to hunting for sport, as long as it is also for eating?

(3) Meir, February 15, 2011 3:52 PM

A Jewish hunter has to be really good...

Sure, anyone, camouflaged with a hunting rifle, can shoot a dear from a distance. A Jewish hunter has to sneak up on the animal with a very sharp knife...

(2) Sean, February 15, 2011 3:20 PM

Disagree with comments

Although I am not a hunter myself, many of my friends are hunters, and I have been happy to know that they are also extremely ethical and concerned about the treatment of the animals they pursue. Furthermore, hunters are among those who are most concerned about the wilderness, because the wilderness is crucial to their enjoyment of hunting. I have seen hunter friends who have seen tracts of wilderness destroyed for human development actually cry. Preservation of the wilderness is tremendously important, and hunters are among those who deeply understand that importance. An additional comment: Contrast hunting against modern assembly-line abatoirs: whether an abatoir is kosher or non-kosher, the treatment of animals is all too often a despicable horror, both to the animals and the workers. The kosher rules are simply not enough. Lastly, some of your comments make no sense, e.g., "when hunting is carried out in accordance with regulations it may be harmless to wildlife." That statement can only be true if the hunter completely misses. And a question: If hunting is allegedly ethically problematic, should fishing also be problematic?

(1) BH in Iowa, February 14, 2011 7:59 PM

I prefer shooting paper targets

I'll do my hunting at the supermarket

Anonymous, September 3, 2012 6:56 AM

Target-hsooting and hiking

I love target-shooting with firearms, air guns, recurve bows, and crossbows. I also love hiking in the woods and getting outdoors in general. I have no reason to go out of my way to kill an animal. If I could eat it, perhaps I would, but unless -- as Meir pointed out above -- it were properly shechted, it wouldn't be kosher and I couldn't eat it.

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About the Author

Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir, Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem

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Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir is Research Director at the Business Ethics Center of Jerusalem (www.besr.org). He studied at Harvard, received a PhD in Economics from MIT, and rabbinic ordination from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate. Prior to moving to Israel, he worked at the Council of Economic Advisers in the Reagan administration. Rabbi Dr. Meir is also a Senior Lecturer in Economics at the Jerusalem College of Technology and has published several articles on business, economics and Jewish law. He is the author of the two-volume, "Meaning in Mitzvot (Feldheim), and his Aish.com columns form the basis of the "Jewish Ethicist" book (ktav.com).

The Jewish Ethicist: Judaism and Hunting

Jewish tradition has a poor regard for hunting as a pastime.

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