Kids know that animals are important. Do they know that Jewish law agrees? Help them explore the ways Judaism supports the value of being kind to animals with a free Kindle edition of a chapter from Teaching Mitzvot - Concepts, Values, and Activities.
Chapter 23: Being Kind to Animals outlines the Mitzvot of Tza’ar Ba’alay Chayim, Kindness to Animals.
Start discussions with your students about why Jews shoo away the mother bird when they collect her eggs, why a person has to feed his pet before he eats, and whether or not God meant for us to be vegetarians.
This chapter includes over 20 activity ideas for all ages, including:
-Have students write stories about their pets. Have them include a sentence or two about how they carry out the Mitzvah of Being Kind to Animals
-Invite an animal expert to speak to your class about the physical needs of various animals and how they need to be treated in captivity. Following this, the students may construct model enclosures for zoo animals that would be in keeping with the Mitzvah of Tza’ar Ba’alay Chayim
-Ask students to draw up guidelines for directors of films regarding the humane treatment of animals
And many more.
Teaching Mitzvot - Concepts, Values, and Activities is an exceptional guide for learning and teaching about mitzvoth and offers overviews of 41 mitzvot in six areas: holidays, rituals, word and thought, tzedakah, gemilut chasadim, and ahavah. All-school programs for each mitzvah and more than 600 activities spanning all grade levels help you implement creative classroom techniques and enrich your students' experiences. Order your copy now!
