Answer by Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin, Moreh Hora’ah at Beis Horaa of Rechovot, Israel:
Animals are divided into two categories with regard to feeding on Shabbos: (1) Animals which rely on their owner for daily food, (2) Animals which find their own food.
Animals which rely on their owner may be fed on Shabbos. Some poskim include even an animal of a breed which is generally not dependent on humans in this category, if this particular animal depends on a feeder for food.[1] Poskim are in disagreement whether one may feed another Jew’s animal on Shabbos.[2]
Animals which generally find their own food may not be fed on Shabbos, even by throwing the food in front of them. Chazal prohibited this unnecessary effort on Shabbos. An exception to this rule is harmless dogs [3] since they have difficulty finding ample food.[4]
There was an ancient custom to gather children on Shabbos Shira, tell them the story of Kriyas Yam Suf, the singing of the birds and the feeding of the birds by the Jewish children, and encourage them to feed the birds.[5]
However, based on the above, poskim dispute this practice.[6] Some acharonim defend it saying that it’s a mitzvah to feed the birds since they sang at Yam Suf [7] or because they spoiled the scheme of the mon laid out for Shabbos [8], both of which are related in parshas Beshalach.
The Rebbe points out that it was common then to own birds, in which case feeding them is unquestionably permissible.[9]
Today, the Rebbe advised continuing the first part of the practice to tell the children about Kriyas Yam Suf and the children’s kindness to the birds which will arouse them to be sensitive to animals.
To fulfill the custom of feeding the birds, one may put out food just before Shabbos for the birds to eat on Shabbos.[10]
SOURCES:
1. כף החיים סי’ שכ”ד סקמ”ג.
2. ראה ביה”ל סי’ שכ”ד ד”ה ויוני.
3. משנ”ב סי’ שכ”ד ס”ק ל”א.
4. גמ’ שם ושוע”ר סי’ שכ”ד ס”ז.
5. סה”ש תש”ב ע’ 73.
6. מג”א סי’ שכ”ד סק”ז, שוע”ר שם ס”ח.
7. תו”ש סי’ שכ”ד סקי”ז.
8. נמוקי או”ח סי’ שכ”ד בשם הרמ”מ מרימנוב.
9. תו”מ תשמ”ט ח”ב ש”פ בשלח הע’ 118.
10. תורת שבת סי’ שכ”ד סקט”ו.
Published in Lma’an Yishme’u, a newsletter by Merkaz Anash
The Rebbe made it very clear that when it comes to Halachic publications one should not confuse the readers with multiple opinions.
This author and this publication always do just that.
It may make them look more prestigious but it has a negative effect on the readers.
I thought I heard that the Rebbe said instead of feeding the birds we eat the kasha ourselves on Shabbos. Did anyone else hear this?
Is a person allowed to eat birds (like chicken, turkey or duck) on shabbos Shira?
Someone told me that it would be hypocritical to feed the birds as an act of gratitude and then eat them.
The Rebbe added that he did not see the Shver putting food for birds outside. Therefore talking t0 the children about it and showing it to them on the shabbos table is good idea but not to put it out side.
The food I put out for the birds on Shabbos is unintentionally eaten by another animal that does not depend on people feeding it? Thank you for shedding light on this custom.