Ecology & the Jewish Spirit: Where Nature & the Sacred Meet

by Ellen Bernstein (Introduction)

What is nature's place in our spiritual lives? In today’s modern culture, we’ve become separated from the sacredness of the natural world. This book offers a different, eye- and soul-opening way of viewing our A perspective grounded in nature, and rich in insights for seekers of all faiths. Respect for the holiness of Creation, our duty to protect the natural world, reverence for the land … a focus on nature is part of the fabric of Jewish thought. Here, innovative contributors bring us a richer understanding of the long-neglected themes of nature that are woven through the biblical creation story, ancient texts, traditional law, the holiday cycles, prayer, mitzvot (good deeds) and community. Ecology & the Jewish Spirit explores the wisdom that the Jewish tradition has to offer all of us, to help nature become a sacred, spiritual part of our own lives. Contributors : Eileen Abrams • Bradley Shavit Artson • Philip J. Bentley • Ellen Bernstein • Ellen Cohn • Eliezer Diamond • Shira Dicker • David Ehrenfeld • Charles Fenyvesi • Shamu Fenyvesi • Dan Fink • Barry Freundel • David Gedzelman • Everett Gendler • Neil Gillman • Neal Joseph Loevinger • Victor Raboy • Debra J. Robbins • Robert Sand • Marc Sirinsky • Jeff Sultar • Marc Swetlitz • Lawrence Troster

Genres: Religion, Ecology, Jewish, Judaica, Judaism

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jonathan A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not Jewish. This book was a gift from a Rabbi friend, and I am very thankful for the gift. The collection of essays move from the theological, to the philosophical, to the spiritual, and to the practical. The questions of our relationship with creation, of our understanding of our place in creation are vital. The examination of Jewish holidays and rituals and the ways they inform our relationship with nature were insightful. Ellen Bernstein's short introductions before the chapters were wonderful moments of offering guideposts through the journey of the book. As an outsider I cannot speak to the depth of the theology or history. I was grateful to be given the opportunity to have a view of a rich part of Jewish thought and spirituality.

[Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed reading this book for class. There we’re great essays that I am still thinking about and built on my previous Judaism studies classes in a cool way

[Darceylaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This falls right between a 3 and a 4. Some of the essays were very exciting thinking and scholarship, others contained ideas that are widely available. It's an important anthology, but the essays were so short that nothing could be developed with much depth. Glad I read it.

[Allan Azouz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wide range of views (from all levels of observance) on Jewish respect for nature, and on man's view of himself in the universe.