In this week’s episode we study a section from Bereshit Rabah about how different aspects of the natural world were created by the divine for specific purposes. We discuss how this passage, about the creation of plants for the sake of pharmacology as well as the constellations controlling certain growth-phases of the plant, acknowledges the complex inter-relationships between different aspects of nature. We discuss how themes of humility, discernment, and awe can all play a part in the fight to maintain a livable climate. Follow along here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/603556.1?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en

In this week’s episode we study texts from Devarim, Vayikra, and the Talmud tractate Yoma. We have a far-ranging discussion including talking about the figure of the Satan in Judaism, and how it can be seen as internalized cultural messages telling us to stall on fighting climate change, how some chukkim (ie. laws that we can’t understand the reason for) such as Shatnez (prohibition against mixing wool and linen) and Kosher laws actually have climate benefit, and how the phrase “You shall live by them” (them meaning both kinds of Jewish law) shows the deep Jewish value of preserving life, which is a major part of what the fight to mitigate climate change is about. Follow along with the source sheet here: http://www.sefaria.org/sheets/603559

In this week’s episode we look at the story of Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and the subsequent plan to prepare for coming famine (ie. climate disaster) and how the plan was carried out. We discuss how the regime in Egypt was an authoritarian one, in which only one person needed to be convinced for large-scale action to take place, but that some strategies from Joseph could also be used to encourage grass-roots change. We spoke about the effectiveness of having actionable steps, direct communication with communities, exciting novel solutions, and the idea of doing something big. Follow along with the source sheet here: www.sefaria.org/sheets/603548