The paper concerns the Jewish attitude towards animals according not only to biblical tradition but also to rabbinic exegesis. The books quoted and commented underline that the real control of men over animals implies also some duties. The legal concept of “animal suffering” investigated in the Jewish tradition highlights the prohibition to inflict cruelty on animals, and the duty of treating them with mercy and kindness. However inflicting pain on animals is allowed if the human being has a legitimate objective, but in this case ritual butchery is conceived in order to limit animal suffering.