The Jewish Role in Protecting the Environment
Within the Jewish tradition, there has always been a deep reverence for the earth as God’s creation. In fact, the commitment to the planet is so strong that, according to the Avot D’Rebbe Natan 31b, if a person is planting a tree and the messiah appears, he should wait to greet the messiah until the tree has been planted. The strong commitment to God’s creation is also manifest in other Jewish traditions, such as the planting of trees as a memorial, or the unique Jewish custom of interring a person in a simple wooden casket.
What Does Jewish Law Say about the Protection of the Environment?
There are many references to environmental awareness in the halakhah, a body of Jewish religious laws taken from both the written and the oral Torah. The halakhah contains diverse references to a number of environmental concerns, including the protection of fruit trees, concerns about noise and smoke pollution, and the prevention of cruelty to animals.
Throughout written history, Jewish theologians have consistently viewed the planet as an essential component of the Jewish covenant. Almost uniformly, Jewish theologians and Jewish tradition have held that human beings should work in concert with and not in domination of the earth.
The Tu Bishvat—The Jewish “Earth Day”
Though the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat, or the “New Year of the Trees,” has been celebrated for nearly 2,000 years, it has taken on a new meaning and a new look over the last half century. Falling on the 15th day of the month of Sh’vat (that was January 24, 2024), and sometimes playfully referred to as “Tree B’Earthday, Tu Bishvat generally commemorates the return of sap to the fruit trees in Israel. As early as the 17th century, Jewish mystics, or Kabbalists, established a special Tu Bishvat seder, which included a meal of nuts and fruits. In the 20th century, various Jewish organizations saw an opportunity to use Tu Bishvat to promote a campaign for planting trees in Israel. In the 1970s, in particular, Jewish environmentalists used Tu Bishvat to focus on reforestation programs, particularly in Southeast Asia, where many old growth forests had been damaged or destroyed by Agent Orange.
Over the final decades of the 20th century, though, Jewish involvement in the environment shifted, from a focus on activism to and emphasis on integrating nature into the Jewish identity. During that time, many Jewish outdoor camps and groups were formed, often emphasizing outdoor activities, such as farming, hiking and backpacking. These groups gave priority to the experience of interacting with the environment, offering a wide range of educational experiences.
Jewish Environmentalism in the 21st Century
Scholars say that most Jewish involvement with and passion for the environment in the last 25 years evolved out of the educational centers of the 1990s, particularly the Teva Learning Alliance in Connecticut. Working in concert with Camp Tawonga, in the Californian redwoods, Teva ultimately led to:
- Hazon, also known as the Jewish Lab for Sustainability—Founded in 2000, Hazon (from the Hebrew for “vision”) creates what are known as JOFEE experiences—Jewish Outdoor Food Farming and Environmental Education opportunities. In addition to bike rides to raise money for environmental awareness, Hazon also encourages Jewish communities to create CSAs (community supported agriculture programs) where people can get fresh, locally-grown produce.
- The Adamah Farming Fellowship, founded in 2003, offers an opportunity for individuals in their 20s and 30s to live and work for three months on a self-sustaining organic farm. The program incorporates Jewish learning and spiritual practices into the experience.
- Eden Village Camp, founded in 2010, is a camp for children that gives them hands-on experience with food systems, focusing on sustainability and stewardship of the earth
- The Kayam Farm at Pearlstone, in rural Baltimore County, a conference and retreat center that focuses on Jewish agricultural awareness
Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit—Providing Comprehensive Funeral and Burial Services for 125 Years
At Gutterman’s and Gutterman Warheit, with funeral chapels in New York and Florida, we have served the Jewish community for more than five generations. Because of our unparalleled experience, we are familiar with the different Jewish traditions and can help you take the right steps to pay your respects to a loved one, as well as your faith tradition. We can advise you on any matter related to funeral or burial services, from the order of service at a memorial to the details for sitting Shiva, the selection of a casket or monument, or the creation of a Yahrzeit calendar. We will be your intermediary with the Chevra Kadisha, ensuring that the body has been ritually prepared according to Jewish law before interment.
To learn how we can be of assistance, contact us by email or call us at one of the numbers listed below.
Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit — Where Relationships Matter
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