Environment

In the wisdom of the Torah, written for an agricultural society intimately connected with the land, we find a profound respect for the natural world. This begins with the story of creation:

The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden, to work it and guard it.¹

Before we are even given instructions, we are endowed with the dual role to “work” and “guard” the earth, emphasizing the balance between utilizing and protecting natural resources.

But the best known Torah law relating to the environment is bal tashchit, originating in Deuteronomy.

When in your war against a city you have to besiege it a long time in order to capture it, you must not destroy its trees, wielding the ax against them. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down. Are trees of the field human to withdraw before you into the besieged city?²

Here we are told that even when our lives are in peril, when we are in the midst of war, we should be mindful of nature, that we should not harm the trees of our enemy in our military campaigns. This directive invites us to consider how we might apply the same respect and restraint towards other resources, such as energy, water, and biodiversity.

Indeed, over the centuries, the rabbis have greatly expanded the scope of bal tashchit, making it a general prohibition on wasting natural resources.

In truth, there is no one nearer to idolatry than one who can disregard the fact that all things are the creatures and property of G-­d, and who then presumes to have the right, because he has the might, to destroy them according to a presumptuous act of will.³

Rabbi Hirsh’s statement underscores the belief that the earth and its resources are divine creations, entrusted to humanity for careful stewardship, not reckless exploitation. This is reinforced in the Psalms by the understanding that we do not own the earth, it belongs to God, and we should hold it in reverence.

The earth is the LORD’s and all that it holds.⁴

We read this psalm during daily prayers, and we sing it as we return the Torah to the Ark on holidays and on Shabbat, reminding us of our temporary stewardship over the earth’s resources.

Unfortunately, modern animal agriculture, with its extensive environmental footprint, starkly contrasts and violates these teachings. In fact, because animal agriculture is so resource-intensive, it constitutes the largest contributor to global warming and environmental degradation.

So how can we best live up to our Jewish principles to reduce waste and protect natural habitats? Thankfully we can reduce environmental damage through our daily food choices.

Modern research provides compelling evidence that shows how vegan diets can improve our environment. A 2023 Oxford University study published in Nature Food tracked the dietary impact of 55,000 individuals and found that vegans have significantly lower environmental impacts compared to high-meat eaters, including 75% less climate-heating emissions, water pollution, and land use, alongside a 66% reduction in wildlife destruction and a 54% decrease in water use.

So being vegan is aligned with the Torah’s instructions to care for the earth we are given, but it can also help us connect with nature. In his Prayer for Nature, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, the great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, eloquently expresses the spiritual connection between humanity and the natural world that we can all cultivate within ourselves.

Grant me the ability to be alone;
may it be my custom to go outdoors each day
among the trees and grass – among all growing things
and there may I be alone, and enter into prayer,
to talk with the One to whom I belong.
May I express there everything in my heart,
and may all the foliage of the field –
all grasses, trees, and plants –
awake at my coming,
to send the powers of their life into the words of my prayer
so that my prayer and speech are made whole
through the life and spirit of all growing things.

When we consciously choose food that protects our planet, we fulfill our sacred duty to protect the environment and nurture our ability to commune with nature, drawing upon the vitality of the earth to enhance our spiritual practices. Veganism demonstrates our respect for the Divine creation and ensures the sustainability of our planet for future generations.