GEN187 The Maharal (Judah ben Bezalel Low, ca. 1520-1609) provides the most explicit articulation of animals having an inherent value rooted in divine concern. “Everything, like grasses and fruits, were created for the sake of animals, which are flesh, for He gave them everything to eat, as the verse states, “I give you …” [this verse]. From this you see that everything else was created for the animals, while the animals were created in the world for their own sake” (Be’er Ha-Golah). (By Alyssa M. Gray, "Jewish Ethics of Speech") OXFORD 424