Compassion, Loss, and Jewish Wisdom on Pets (S3, E20)

In this week’s episode of Judaism in the 21st Century, Dr. Steven Labkoff and Rabbi Daniel Cohen tackle a deeply personal and widely shared experience: facing end-of-life decisions for a beloved pet. Sparked by Steven’s aging cat, Perry, the conversation explores what Jewish tradition teaches about animal suffering, compassion, and responsibility.

What does Judaism say about putting a pet out of pain? How is animal suffering understood differently from human suffering? And do animals possess something akin to a soul?

This thoughtful, grounded discussion blends personal storytelling with Jewish ethics, offering clarity, comfort, and perspective for anyone who has loved a companion animal. A quiet but meaningful episode about grief, gratitude, and the moral weight of caring for life at its most vulnerable.