The Environment in Jewish Law: Essays and Responsa

by Walter Jacob (Editor), Moshe Zemer (Editor)

Overview

Environmental concerns are at the top of the agenda around the world. Judaism, like the other world religions, only rarely raised issues concerning the environment in the past. This means that modern Judaism, the halakhic tradition no less than others, must build on a slim foundation in its efforts to give guidance. The essays in this volume mark the beginning of a new effort to face questions and formulate answers of vital importance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781571814319
Publisher:	Berghahn Books
Publication date:	11/01/2003
Series:	Progressive Halakhah , #12
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Walter Jacob was Senior Scholar of Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. He also served as President of the Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. He is the author and editor of a number of titles including American Reform Responsa (1983), Liberal Judaism and Halakhah (1988) and Not by Birth Alone, Conversion to Judaism (1997).

Moshe Zemer (1932-2011) was Director of the Freehof Insittue of Progressive Halakhah and a founder of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in Israel. He contributed to numerous articles on halakhah in the Israeli press and scientific journals and was author of The Sane Halakhah [Hebrew], (1993) which was translated into both German and English.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	vii
	Introduction	ix
	Eco-Judaism--Does it Exist?	1
	Ecology as a Mitzvah	24
	When Values Collide: Economics, Health and the Environment	34
	Urban Planning in Jewish Environmental Law	45
	Judaism and Animal Welfare	56
	Selected Responsa	73
	The Environment and Property Rights	75
	Asbestos Versus Refugees	77
	Early Zionism, the Biblical Landscape and Ecology	80
	Torah Ark and Ecology	83
	Recycling Sacred Books and the Genizah	90
	Shredding Religious Services to Protect God's Name	97
	The Use of Tobacco	99
	Responsibility Toward Pets	104
	Jewish Involvement in Genetic Engineering	107
	Contributors	112