Repairing a Broken World
In Judaism God is the sole creator of the universe and with it also the Earth and all its inhabitants. All of Creation praises God, who governs and sustains nature. Through the observation of nature, one cannot help but notice the presence of order and wise design manifested in a world where nothing is superfluous.
Humans were created on the sixth day of the Creation -- last -- because, without the rest of Creation, humans would not be able to survive. God made humanity in the plural, in a state of diversity, reflecting the diversity of human ethnicities and cultures and the multitude of other life forms on our planet. Humans are to be Shomrei Adamah, protectors and caretakers of the Earth from which we were taken and to which we shall return. Taking care of other species, cultivating and preserving the Earth, lends dignity to all being created by God thus prescribes reverence towards all creatures and our planet.
Several passages in the Hebrew scriptures show other forms of life as offering a role model for humans to praise the One who gave them life (for example, Ps. 66:4 and 148:1-3) and being the instructors of humans:
Humans were created on the sixth day of the Creation -- last -- because, without the rest of Creation, humans would not be able to survive. God made humanity in the plural, in a state of diversity, reflecting the diversity of human ethnicities and cultures and the multitude of other life forms on our planet. Humans are to be Shomrei Adamah, protectors and caretakers of the Earth from which we were taken and to which we shall return. Taking care of other species, cultivating and preserving the Earth, lends dignity to all being created by God thus prescribes reverence towards all creatures and our planet.
Several passages in the Hebrew scriptures show other forms of life as offering a role model for humans to praise the One who gave them life (for example, Ps. 66:4 and 148:1-3) and being the instructors of humans:
“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all humankind" (Job 12:7-10).
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We find concrete examples of ecological concern in Jewish law (halakhah), which provides protection for fruit trees even during times of war and debates over damage caused by smoke. Jewish teachings also give many examples of the need to treat farm animals well. They should always be allowed to eat well while they work and to rest on the Sabbath.
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(Fruit) Trees even have their own day of celebration: Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees or Israeli Arbor Day. Tu BiShvat once indicated the end of winter and the beginning of the ideal planting period in Israel. Today it is connected with different environmental actions and celebrated with festive ceremonies with meals featuring a variety of fruits.
