(15) The LORD God took the human and placed it in the garden of Eden, to till it and tend it.
What does God want the human (Adam) to do as far as 'tilling' and 'tending', or we could translate it as 'working' and 'guarding'?
(2) ולשמרה, eating the fruit of the garden would ensure that man’s natural fluids would not dry up. Humanity is equipped with natural heat, and if not supplied with the proper kind of nourishment may dehydrate. The excellent fruit of the trees of the garden would replenish loss of moisture through evaporation on the skin in the heat of the sun.
Sforno says we live in relationship to the world - food helps us to live and the energy we get from food enables us to do all the things we need to do.
(א) לעבדה ולשמרה: לעבדה הוא עבודת האדמה וההשקאה והשמירה שלא יעלה בה פריץ חיות.
'To work it' means working the land and watering it...
We believe the earth belongs to God -- so what's our part on earth? What's the difference for us between the idea 'The earth belongs to God' and 'The earth belongs to us.'?
The Talmud teaches us about sharing and partnership between people and God. What are ways we can partner with others toward addressing climate change?