Ethical principles in the relationship between man, animals and nature among the early Hebrews

Ovaj rad donosi prikaz odnosa starih Hebreja prema životinjama i prirodi u cjelini jer su i sami bili nomadski pastiri blisko povezani sa životinjama, bilo pitomima ili onim divljima. Odnosi su razmatrani na temelju Zakona, odnosno naputaka iz Staroga zavjeta, ponajviše iz Petoknjižja to jest Tore. Navedeni Zakoni, točnije propisi i pouke, odražavaju karakter odnosa između čovjeka i životinje te čovjeka i ostatka živoga svijeta. Uz to vidljiv je i karakter samog vlasnika životinje. Taj odnos i karakter trebali bi biti etički i moralno potaknuti, vođeni i oblikovani empatijom. Suosjećanje je bilo, a pozvani i poučeni smo da nam to bude i danas, temelj spomenutih odnosa i stavova koje stvaramo prema živim bićima s kojima koegzistiramo.This paper gives an overview of the relationships between the early Hebrews, animals and nature as a whole. These people were nomadic shepherds closely connected to domestic and wild animals. The relationships are examined on the basis of the laws and guidance of the Old Testament, primarily Pentateuch or Torah. These laws, more precisely regulations and teachings, reflect the character of the relationship between man and animal, and between man and the rest of the living world. Further, the character of the animal owner is also evident. This relationship and the character should be based on ethics and morality, and guided and shaped by empathy. Empathy was the basis of these relations and the attitudes towards living beings we coexist with, and we are invited and instructed to live by them today