From this halacha regarding the suffering of animals, in which the Torah obligates the person to feed his animals first before eating his own food, we may also learn that this is also the correct way to treat the members of one’s own household. One’s family and attendants are certainly no worse than his chickens locked in a coop; for they, like his animals, are dependant on him, and so he must rush to provide their food when they need it—before he eats his own food. Whatever way a person acts with others is how Heaven acts with him, so here, too, Hashem will provide him whatever he may need at the right time.
And although technically, the poskim debate whether or not there is a specific prohibition against causing human suffering as there is against animal suffering, nevertheless all agree that causing children to suffer is prohibited by Torah law. Therefore, one must be very careful to not cause any suffering to children. In truth, one must be careful to not cause any human to suffer, for God will judge every deed, even everything hidden (Koheles 12:14). Our Sages explain (Chagigah 5a) that a person will be judged even for causing the minor suffering of simply spitting in the presence of another person who was disgusted by it—despite the fact that he had no intention of causing that person any discomfort!
Therefore it behooves every person to do whatever they can so that other people should find his ways pleasant and agreeable.
