Jewish Environmental Ethics

Describe and explain Jewish ethical teachings on environmental ethics

IntroductionJewish environmental ethics arebased primarily on the laws and teachings that have been handed down in the Torah and Tenak. Religious truths bring knowledge to the Jewish people that God is the creator and as his created being,

they are responsible for stewardship of God’s creation. Sharing in the

caring and nurturing of the earth that the creator has given them has

grounding in the Torah which commands them to abide by their covenantal relationship with God to care for

each other and the earth.

Texts which Guide Jewish Environmental Ethics

Jewish texts are very significant in their understanding of what is ethical as the writings are designed to guide them through their lives in accordance with God’s wishes. The Talmud is considered the oral tradition of Jewish beliefs on which many ethical views are founded as it fills in the gaps and explains the laws of the Torah. The two components of the oral tradition are called the Halachah (living out the Torah daily – ‘walking with God’) and Aggada (inspiring people to God’s service through stories, legends and wise sayings, etc). Because of these to oral traditions Jewish people learn how to incorporate ethics into their daily lives and how to inspire others.

Environmental ethics – the Basics

Environmental ethics are very important to the Jewishpeople as the duty of a good Jew is to love society and to respect the world. Halachah helps them to do this. Therefore daily living must embrace that covenant as an imperative of Jewish commitment. It also entails a total respect and willingness to sustain and respect the earth and its environment.

Bal Tashkit is a commandment for the Torah

Bal Tashkit is a commandment ofthe Torah which has its foundations in Dueteronomy 20:19 – 20 and prohibits the wanton destruction of crops. Bal Tashkit has been extended to relate to modern issues of excessive use of resources, waste and wanton destruction of the earth’s resources. Maimonides also spoke out about unnecessary waste and extreme extravagance. In fact, the Jewish tradition has always spoken out against greed, human exploitation and reckless use of resources.

Tikkun Olam – Repair of the World

Jewish mysticism gives us the principle of Tikkun Olam or ‘repair of the world’ from the Kabalah. Therefore, Jews, by performing the correct Mitzvot (commandments) are each contributing to the process. Modern Jewish thinking, such as Manfredi, encourages conservation within this framework and Jews are recycling, conserving energy, and collecting rainwater. The phrase “Tend well to the earth, for there will be no one to make it right after you” from the Midrash (Tulmud) shows how Tikkun Olam together with Bal Tashkit brings the fruition of B’tselem Adonai (ie. As Jews are God’s creation, it is their job to fix up the world and make it better) to proactivism and stewardship.

Messianic themes in Environmental Ethics

There are also many messianic themes in environmental ethics. Isaiah 11:1 – 9 and Joel 2:21 – 26 depict a healthy environment and the harmony between humans and god’s creation. These Messianic texts highlight a future time when humans will live according to the creator’s will. It is thus essential that the preservation of a healthy environment links to the messianic vision within the Torah.

DeforestationDeforestation is a major issue of Jewish environmental ethics. It is their duty to protect the earth as defined in Genesis 2:15 which reminds them of Their stewardship. Deuteronomy 20:19 – 20 has also been interpreted to remind them of unnessesary destruction of the Environment. In Australia and overseas, Jews have promoted tree planting ventures as well as environmental projects in schools. The B’nai Br’ith movement in Australia was formed to raise awareness and promote environmental conservation as a commitment to continuing Jewish stewardship here.

Air, Water and Soil PollutionJews are also very concerned about the environmental ethical issues surrounding air, water and soil pollution. Today in Australia we have very high levels of pollution in the air and water and concrete covers much of the ground in our cities. Instead of forests and native bushland we have erosion and salt pollution in the arid or dry regions. This change is happening even today at an ever increasing need for energy, technology and resources. It also means a rise in the production of waste which causes the problem. Jews try to correct these issues as they conflict with the Jewish principles of preservation of life as most important and that all life is equal and has intrinsic value.

By Rachel and Ashleigh!!!