What does Judaism have to say about protecting the environment?
Maybe you’re scratching your head wondering: “What’s Jewish about protecting the environment? How is this organization different from all the other environmental organizations – many of which I belong to? Aren’t we all driven by a common purpose and shared values?”
True, we all share many common purposes: protecting the environment, living sustainably, advocating for policies that, for example, save species, slow climate change, improve fuel efficiency, reduce pollution, reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources – the list seems endless – and we are all about educating constituents and students and parents and families and every other person we can get to listen to us about these challenges.
These organizations and faith-based environmental organizations like the National Religious Partnership for the Environment and all its members (including COEJL), are organized around a common cause. But, the faith-based groups add teachings from their faith to the conversation, which can make a difference in reaching out to our communities and advocating for public policy change with elected officials.
William Drabkin, co-founder, COEJL of Southern Arizona, said this on June 26, 2000: “As the Psalmist teaches us, ‘The Earth is the Eternal’s.’ We are tenants in God’s world. We have a responsibility to our common Creator to protect the earth. And we have a responsibility to leave a living world to future generations.”
COEJL released a special report on this subject and actively advocates for the environmental agenda adopted by the JCPA.
- Environmental health and justice
- Climate change and energy policy
- Biological diversity
- Israel’s environment
Here are a few quotations demonstrating our deep connection to the environment:
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when?
– Rabbi Hillel, in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)
The Eternal put the human being in the Garden of Eden to till it and to tend it.
– Genesis 2:15
In order to serve God, one needs access to the enjoyment of the beauties of nature, such as the contemplation of flower-decorated meadows, majestic mountains, flowing rivers… For all these are essential to the spiritual development of even the holiest people.
– Rabbi Abraham ben Moses (1186 – 1237)
“When God created the first human beings, God led them around the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at my works! See how beautiful they are—how excellent! For your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.”
– Midrash Kohelet Rabbah, 1 on Ecclesiastes 7:13
It is not upon you to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it either.
– Rabbi Tarfon, Pirke Avot 2:21
In Judaism, the halakhah (Jewish law) prohibits wasteful consumption. When we waste resources we are violating the mitzvah (commandment) of Bal Tashchit (“Do not destroy”).
– Based on Deuteronomy 9:19-20
The Earth is the Lord’s and all that it holds, the world and its inhabitants.
– Psalm 24:1
Judaism teaches that we have a sacred obligation to the Creator, to Creation, and to future generations to safeguard and protect Earth’s ecosystems.
– Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) – 2000
