GEN663 [This verse] definitely implies that man can use animals for his benefit. The next verse gives man permission to eat animals. How, then, can both viewpoints in the Torah [i.e. many commandments RE sensitivity for animals’ welfare and feelings; this verse] be reconciled? … It is precisely both these attitudes that combine to form the Torah’s view toward animals. Although man has the right to use animals for legitimate purposes, he must, at the same time, never lose his sensitivity to animals. Man must care about the animal and show his care by using the animals only when necessary. Even when it is necessary to cause pain to the animal, it must be done in the least painful way possible. A clear example of this is the process of slaughtering. When the animal is needed for food, the
schechitah, ritual slaughter, just expose the animal to the least amount of pain possible.
Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 451. That is why the slaughter must be performed in the precise manner dictated. In fact, if the knife is lightly nicked, which might cause the animals slight additional and unnecessary pain due to lack of the knife’s smoothness, the slaughter is invalid and the animal is not kosher.
Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh De’ah 23:4. To demonstrate that animal need is certainly legitimate in Judaism, the entire physical Torah itself is made from the animal, both the hide and sinews. AMEMEI 9.
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