99% Of Our Customers Display A Similar Expression When. They Walk in Our Store... Torah Portion Our Duty To Environment Began With Adam And Eve ognize that we are in a relationship with the natural world, and that we depend upon the air, water and the earth for our most basic survival. Likewise, each Shabbat provides us with the opportuni- ty to pause from our daily routines, to step back and appreciate God's creation. n Bereshit, this week's Torah por- Unfortunately, we tend to forget these don, we are reminded throughout basic truths as we go about the business that we are part of a greater com- of living. We take for granted the air we munity of life and that humanity breathe, the water which flows from our faucets, the fruits and vegetables we buy is given a special duty to care for God's at the local grocery. We drive our cars creation. and SUVs with no thought to In the Tosefta Sanhedrin, the the impact of auto emissions rabbis asked why man and woman were not created until on the atmosphere. We welcome new develop- the sixth day of creation. The ment without considering its response was that humankind impact on our ecosystem. We was created last so we would are grateful for steady employ- learn humility. ment and a stable economy Bereshit Rabbah 10:7 states: and have no patience for "Even those things that you seemingly unimportant mat- may regard as completely ters like endangered species, superfluous to creation, such as rain forests or wetlands. fleas, gnats, and flies, even they RABBI MARLA By neglecting our responsi- too were included in creation; J. FELDMAN bility to maintain the fragile and God's purpose is carried Special to the balance of our environment, out through everything, even Jewish News we are failing to fulfill God's through a snake, a scorpion, a command to tend to our gnat, or a frog." God's first commandment places world. humanity in charge of creation: "Be It was in response to this mandate fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and that the national Coalition on the master it; and rule the fish of the sea, the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) birds of the sky and all the living things was established several years ago. The Southeast Michigan Coalition on the that creep on earth."(Genesis 1:28). One might argue that the power to Environment in Jewish Life (SEM- rule the rest of creation gives us carte COEJL) is a new local chapter of this blanche to use natural resources as we Jewish environmental initiative. Already please, yet the rabbis teach us otherwise. numerous organizations, congregations Rabbi Hanina said, "If humanity merits and individuals have joined this organi- it, humanity will have dominion; but if zation in order to explore ways we can they do not merit, they shall descend." fulfill our duties as the earth's caretakers. On this Shabbat, as we celebrate the (Bereshit Rabbah 8:12) In other words, we only rule the earth as long as we creation of the earth and the fullness deserve to do so. If we fail in our respon- thereof, let us be faithful guardians of sibilities, we will be supplanted. this sacred trust, that it may continue for In the story of Adam and Eve, God the generations to come. ❑ places Adam in the Garden of Eden in order to till it and tend it. The rabbis saw The Southeast Michigan Coalition on the this as a mandate for humanity to care Environment in Jewish Life can be reached for the world around us: When God cre- at the Jewish Community Council (248) ated Adam, God led him around the 642-5393. Garden of Eden and said, "Take care not to spoil or destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you," (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13). The festival of Sukkot that just ended provides a special time for us to reflect What does it mean to be the upon the world around us and our rela- earth's caretaker? Have we appro- tionship to it. As we make ourselves vul- priately fulfilled that responsibility? nerable to the physical elements, we rec- What can you, your family, or your congregation do to help pro- Marla J. Feldman is the assistant director tect the environment and be faith- of the _Jewish Community Council of ful guardians of Creation? Shabbat Bereshit: Genesis 1:1-6:8; I Samuel 20:18-42. 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