מפרש מסכת תמיד דף כט עמוד ב
רב אחא בר יעקב אמר משום ישוב ארץ ישראל - ...ודאי טעמא קאמר דמשום קשרים הם פסולים אלא אפי' בלא טעם קשרים בשביל דבר אחר היו מניחין ואיזהו משום ישוב ארץ ישראל שאם ישרפו הזיתים
Certainly the reason is as is stated because of knots [these woods] are invalid [to burn on the alter], but even without the reason of knots, for a different reason they would desist [from using them.] What is it? Because of 'the settlement of the land of Israel.' Since if they would burn the olive trees and grapevines, there would not be found wine to drink or oil to anoint with, and the land of Israel would be destroyed… [translation by Yonatan Neril]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. Why did the Israelites refrain from burning wood from olive trees and grapevines?
2. What does this source teach about resource sustainability in settling the land?
3. The world has a limited supply of natural resources. What does this text teach about how we should utilize our resources?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)