Jewish perspective: We're responsible for Earth's care

We are partners in creation and conservators of the world we have been given.

SUSAN J. LEWIS COLUMNIST

In Judaism, there is a strong tradition of being good stewards of the Earth. It is actually more than a tradition; it is part of Jewish law.

According to Midrash, the commentary on Torah law, when God created the world and the first man, he took that man around and showed him the trees in the Garden of Eden and told him, “See my handiwork, how beautiful they are. Be careful not to ruin and destroy my world, for if you do, there is no one to repair it after you.”

The Torah sees humans as being responsible for the world in which they live. They are participants in God’s creation, and while God did say humankind is given dominion over the world, that role is one of caretaker, not conqueror.

It is not given to us to stand aside and watch the Earth be destroyed.

A loyal servant of God — which is what all good Jews strive to be — is someone who puts God’s creation and work above their own greed and selfishness. In this worldview, we are not only servants of the Lord, but partners in creation and again, custodians of the world we have been given.

The Earth is ours to conserve, not to consume.

Furthermore, in being good neighbors and good custodians, there are hundreds of laws outlined in the Torah and the Midrash.

Jews are not allowed to litter in a public place, as this causes harm to others as well as the Earth. In ancient Jerusalem, furnaces were not allowed because they caused the walls of the buildings to become black and unsightly. This is considered a disgrace.

An important concept in Judaism is called Tikkun Olam, which translates “to heal the world.” In Tikkun Olam, one strives to make the world a better place, to right wrongs, to help others.

This translates to keeping the Earth healthy and clean, as well as being our brother’s keeper and seeking justice and equality for all.

If a Jew sees a wrong, he or she is obligated to help right that wrong.

All in all, this world and everything in it is the Lord’s.

We are partners in creation and conservators of the world we have been given.

Susan J. Lewis is a former president of Beth Israel Congregation in Salisbury.