In the Old Testament the contrast between humans and animals is not as strong as we may assume. The biblical passages analysed may help to change positively human behaviour towards animals; they suggest a type of anthropocentrism which does not consider living beings as instruments but, on the contrary, shows responsibility towards them. The Jewish attitude towards nature is positive: human beings cooperate with God in the continuous creation of a better world. All living things are interdependent. Animal rights are different from human rights, because the latter imply also duties. Life itself is sufficient to possess rights. Moreover, the Jewish-Christian view suggests a historical discontinuity but an eschatological continuity between humans and animals.