The Way Into Judaism and the Environment (Way Into...) (Paperback)

by Jeremy, Ph.D. Benstein (Author)
Key Phrases: bal tashchit, human humility, Jewish Sense of Place, Land of Israel, Environmental Crisis (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Clear and thorough ... brilliantly articulates a mandate of Jewish activism that is rooted in Jewish tradition and speaks to the broad range of issues we face in our twenty-first-century global village. Moves seamlessly between Jewish texts, theology and modern scientific thinking, at a level that a lay reader can easily follow.... A much needed resource to the field of Jewish environmentalism." -- Rabbi Marla J. Feldman, director, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism

"Gives thoughtful consideration to the creative and careful attention needed to sustain us in the new millennium.... Maps the route toward the necessary healing of our planet and our people." -- Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, president, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College

"Only a guide as learned and as passionate as Jeremy Benstein could succeed so magnificently. Wise, deep, clear and healing, read it to root yourself in the soil of Torah, then heed its wisdom for the sake of our sweet, blue home." -- Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, dean, Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies; vice president, University of Judaism; author, Gift of Soul, Gift of Wisdom: A Spiritual Resource for Mentoring and Leadership

"Takes an engaging look at the interface between Jewish spirituality and the pressing concerns of environmentally conscientious Jews. Shows how traditional sources, viewed probingly, shed an edifying light on today's concerns. Will attract newcomers to Jewish environmentalism and gratify old-hands." -- Martin D. Yaffe, Center for Environmental Philosophy, University of North Texas --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
For everyone who wants to understand how Jews view the natural world and the responsibilities of environmental stewardship, this book provides the way into an essential aspect of Judaism and allows you to interact directly with the sacred texts of the Jewish tradition.

At a time of growing concern about environmental issues, Jeremy Benstein, PhD--a founder and associate director of the Heschel Center for Environmental Learning and Leadership--explores the relationship Jews have with the natural world and the ways in which Judaism contributes to contemporary social-environmental issues. He also shows us the extent to which Judaism is part of the problem and how it can be part of the solution.

Benstein offers both an environmental interpretation of Judaism and a Jewish approach to environmentalism, examining the dilemmas and questions we face when evaluating Judaism's role in the care of creation:

* What environmentalism is. What do we mean by a "sustainable society"? What in our lives and our society needs to change in order to achieve it? How can we best apply Jewish ethics of caring for the land in all our lands and in the Land--the Land of Israel?
* What the creation stories can teach us about who we are and what nature is. Are we essentially a part of the natural world--or crucially apart from it? Are we masters of creation--or its servants? Are we creatures or creators? What dreams and responsibilities flow from these roles?
* The relevance of Torah and traditional sources. What contemporary insights can be gleaned from ancient teachings? What role should the material world play in our spiritual lives? How can bringing Judaism and environmentalism into creative dialogue enrich our understanding of ourselves and our world, and contribute to tikkun olam, our repair of that world? --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 260 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (October 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580233686
• ISBN-13: 978-1580233682
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #107,118 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important analytical survey., February 5, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Way into Judaism And the Environment (Hardcover)

Jeremy Benstein, Ph.D. applies his extensive studies and knowledge of rabbinic literature and environmental ethics in The Way Into Judaism and the Environment, a serious-minded discussion of the role Judaism needs to play in proper stewardship of creation, especially in today's modern era of global warming, climate change, pollution, and extinction. Chapters address everything from the question of global overpopulation to the dangers of overconsumption and the need to strike a balance between what is necessary or healthful with what is extravagant and wasteful, the role of Jewish holidays and observances in replenishing not only faith, but belief in the importance of careful stewardship and personal responsibility, to what different interpretations of the book of Genesis have to say about man's relationship to the environment. Written in plain terms accessible to readers of all backgrounds, The Way Into Judaism and the Environment is thought-provoking material offering invaluable insights to readers of all faiths, even though the specific focus is on the Jewish faith and the obligations its practitioners have to the environment. Highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book I've read on this topic!, October 5, 2006

By	Daniel Burstyn (Lotan, Hevel Eilot Israel) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Way into Judaism And the Environment (Hardcover)

I cannot recommend this book highly enough!


It was written by my teacher Dr. Jeremy Benstein, one of the founders of the Heschel Center in Tel Aviv. Jeremy sent me the proofs to read during the summer, for a project that I am working on under his tutelage, and I read it like a novel. It is fantastic!


Written in an easy and flowing style, assuming little about the reader's knowledge of Jewish tradition, it is nevertheless rigorous enough for the scholarly reader. This would make an excellent textbook for an Adult Ed or college course.


Two sections particularly moved me: the fourth chapter, about contemporary issues, raises some fascinating hiddushim: here are the titles of two of its subsections: "Multiply and fill up the Earth: Are We There Yet?" and "Eat and Be Satisfied: How Much is Enough?" The other, the sixth and final chapter "Ha'am Ve'Ha'aretz: The Land of Israel and a Jewish Sense of Place", is the first piece I've read that deals with the issue of Zionism satisfactorily. It honestly tackles the romantic landscape of traditional Judaism, the reality and challenges of life in modern Israel, and weaves them with the ideas of "Deep" Ecology's land ethic.

5.0 out of 5 stars Creates a Learned, Sophistcated and Nuanced Connection Between Judaism and the Environment, August 9, 2008

By	Michael Brochstein (New York, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Way into Judaism And the Environment (Hardcover)

Most discussions of what Judaism has to say about the environment involve quoting a few relatively well known verses from traditional Jewish sources (i.e. the bible) and expounding on how they demonstrate that Judaism is an environmentally friendly religion. While Jeremy's book quotes all these verses, it doesn't stop there. It goes much much further and creates a learned, sophisticated and nuanced connection between Judaism and pro-environmental policies and behaviors.

(Full disclosure: I recently met Jeremy for the first time when I participated in a multi-day hike in Israel to raise money for The Heschel Center, Jeremy's NGO, which works on environmental issues in Israel and for another environmental group. I've written these comments on my volition without Jeremy's knowledge).