Noah and His Pets

A Donkey Serenaded...

No, Noah did not acquire his pets at the shelter; they came on board willingly. But given the chance, wouldn’t all sheltered and stray animals jump aboard to be saved? I'm certain they would. Sadly, we can’t rescue them all. If only we could.

Furthermore, whether pets or not, all should be treated with kindness and compassion. Like us and all elements on Earth, they, too, have souls. It’s not just the right amount of light and water that enhances the growth of vegetation; good vibes, such as soothing music, make them thrive. Nor is it only plants that swing and sway. As any pet owner knows, animals also respond to mellow sounds wafting through the air. 

Now, I don't know whether Noah remembered to bring along a violin, but perhaps he sang to them. After all, there were so many different species of animals on the ark, all crammed together on the deck below; it must have been very crowded. One can only imagine that, in such close quarters, it was often quite quarrelsome among the neighbors.

Assuming he brought along his violin or possessed pleasant vocals, Noah showed more empathy for his guests than merely calming them with melodies. Even before he ate, he fed the animals first. How do we know? Because it’s one of the Noahide Laws.

Noahide Laws? Yes, there are seven for all the world to follow. Among them is the law that broadly states: “Do not eat the limb of a living animal.” As explained in classic commentary, this law includes several rules governing the careful and compassionate treatment of these lower creatures. One requires sending the mother bird far from the nest before taking her young or her eggs. Another prohibits muzzling an animal working in the field so it may munch along the way.

But returning to Noah’s pets on the Ark, I wonder whether he occasionally brushed or played with them. Did he pet them? Of course, he couldn’t take them out for a walk. Then again, they did have a lovely sea view…