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Question
What is the Jewish point of view about hunting? Is it wrong to hunt according to Judaism?
Answer
I am a former national champion archer with two national records while in college
- and I can't wait for Maccabiah Games to institute Archery as a Masters sport!
I'd love nothing more than to carry the American/US flag in the parade in Israel.
Secondly, I was a member of the Arizona State ROTC Rifle Team, held a record
with them in 1964 and also on the side was a member of a fast-draw pistol/side-arm
group.
So, with my background in front of me, I can also say that I would never take
the life of another animal unless it is last-resort self-defense.
Archery bow-hunting and even rifle hunting is a sad sport, given the high quality
of equipment, the blind or vertical seat and the close distance to the animal.
Shooting an animal at 15-25 yards with an arrow or bullet that flies virtually
"flat" and one doesn't even need to calculate the "arch" in the trajectory -
that's not a sport IMHO.
Sports hunting violates the mitzvot against cruel treatment of animals (tzaar
baali chayim). If hunting is the only alternative to dying oneself, then it
is permitted.
A hunted animal is not kosher (trayf) because it was not killed in the strictly
humane way that Jewish Law mandates. If the home doesn't follow the laws of
kashrut, then this argument against hunting is harder to make.
Best
Wishes,
Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner
Foundation for Family Education (FFFE)
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