Judaism teaches that we have a sacred obligation to the Creator, to Creation, and to future generations to safeguard and protect Earth's ecosystems. Before the Flood, Noah and his family protected at least two of every animal species, enabling all creatures to make safe passage from one era of human history to the next. After the Flood, God said to Noah: "Behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your seed after you, and with every living creature that is with you, of the birds, of the cattle, and of every wild animal of the earth with you" (Genesis 9:9).... Our heritage calls on us to serve as protectors and defenders of God's magnificent creations, ensuring safe passage of all creatures from one era to the next by protecting their habitats. It is our duty--as people of faith, and citizens of our nation, our world, and our biosphere--to safeguard and weave together the patchwork of remnant forests as best we can…..Therefore, the Central Conference of American Rabbis calls upon the federal government to... protect roadless areas in National Forests in a manner that protects all roadless areas over 1,000 acres, including those in Alaska, from all logging, mining, and other commercial use;...and end all subsidies for logging and mining on public lands and immediately suspend all such activities in all old-growth forests and other threatened habitats on public lands. [From the COEJL website, www.coejl.org]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Does one's views on creation impact their understanding of environmentalism and conservation?
2. What is the Jewish responsibility towards the environment? Is there one?
3. Is there a Jewish responsibility as a result of the covenant with God? How do different denominations answer this question?
Time Period: Contemporary (The Yom Kippur War until the present-day)