What We Believe

L’ovdah ul’Shomrah: Reflections on Environmental Responsibility

From the opening verses of Torah, environmental stewardship is presented as a core Jewish value. Many of the passages in the Torah are really asking us to be thoughtful, to recognize that we are all inter-connected. Our survival depends on the survival of the land and all the species. But since humankind has the power and the potential to do the most damage, it is our responsibility to make sure we use that power and potential to do the most good.

Respecting the Land

The Torah is filled with laws that helped us grow more abundant crops and raise hardier animals--laws like schmitta or a sabbatical year that instruct us to let the land rest. And, even though you may not be a farmer now, this law still teaches us a lot. It is actually connected to Shabbat—the idea that all living things need to rest in order to grow and flourish.

In Genesis, we are taught that “God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to till (l’aved) and to tend (l’shomreh) it.” This passage is fundamental to an understanding of our role as shomrai adamah, guardians of the earth.

Protecting Animals

Other laws protect animals. Kindness towards animals is reflected in Kashrut, our dietary laws. Kashrut makes a connection between what we eat and ourselves; we don’t eat animals that are scavengers or predators as if somehow, we will take on those negative traits.

Eating ethically also means we try to eat locally grown seasonal foods. We eat what grows in its proper time. It’s about respecting the Earth and its natural cycles.

Respecting All Living Creatures

Jews believe in the principle of bal tashchit, which means “do not waste.” This teaches us to conserve resources. It also applies to consumption—we shouldn’t be wasteful in that we buy and we shouldn’t accumulate just because we can.

In Genesis, we are taught that “God took the man and placed him in the Garden of Eden to till (l’aved) and to tend (l’shomreh) it.” This passage is fundamental to an understanding of our role as shomrai adamah, guardians of the earth.

As modern stewards of creation we too must be especially careful not no destroy this earth beyond repair.