One of the most widely read parts of the Torah is the description of the yearly festival cycle which constitutes the middle of the Parshah. It is interesting to note that when we read this section on the festivals themselves we do not begin with the festivals but rather a paragraph earlier, a section that deals with, among other things the prevention of cruelty to animals. This section contains two mitzvot, one forbidding the sacrifice of an animal before the eighth day of its life. The other forbids killing a mother and its young on the same day.

One may wonder whether there is a reason why these commandments are added on to the festive readings. Other than providing for an extra aliya when a festival falls on Shabbat, the mitzvah of not killing parents and offspring on the same day is also connected to the festive cycle. There are four eves of festivals where a butcher has to be especially careful to warn his clients if he is selling an animal whose parent has been slaughtered on that day. But I believe we can find a deeper reason to connect this section to the festivals.

In the middle of the details of the festival cycle, between the spring and autumn festivals, we unexpectedly have a command concerning leaving the corners of the field and the leftover sheaves for the poor. This may be connected to the time of year, the harvest, but I think it contains a wider message. In the midst of our celebration of the festivals we are warned not to forget the poor and needy. This command is repeated in Deuteronomy specifically in connection with the harvest festivals, but here is placed at the heart of the festival cycle as if to place social justice at the heart of our celebrations, not merely as an ancillary to them.

I think we can see the addition of the mitzvot concerning kindness to animals in the same light. As we come to celebrate the festive occasions of the year we are warned not to allow our festivities to become an excuse for cruelty or disregard of either animals or humans. The feeling of prosperity or wellbeing given to us by the festivals should increase rather than dull our sensitivity to others and their needs. Celebration should never be an excuse for disregarding our basic duties to our fellow creatures, rather it should increase our moral awareness of our responsibility to care for all of creation.

This lesson is especially relevant to us in this era of environmental degradation. Too often, especially in more observant households, the many festive meals that punctuate the holidays become an excuse for throwing out any pretence of environmental responsibility, with copious use of non-recyclable dishes and so on. While no one wishes to be standing washing up for much of Yom Tov, there are other less damaging alternatives. We thus add on to a festive reading a section that reminds us to celebrate our holidays not only joyfully but also morally and responsibly.