An Animals Plea

A butcher once brought a cow's lung to the Alter Rebbe to verify whether it was kosher or not. The Rebbe studied the issue for hours. In the meantime, night had fallen and the butcher had dozed off on the bench in the corner. When he awoke some time later, he was surprised that the Rebbe was still involved in deciding this question.

"Rebbe," he said respectfully, "the loss involved in proclaiming the animal treif is hardly worth your precious time."

"If you would hear the animal begging me to proclaim her kosher, you would not make such a statement," answered the Rebbe.

From From My Father's Shabbos Table by Rabbi Yehuda Chitrik