Our Aims
Addressing an uncomfortable topic
The topic of climate change is one which is often uncomfortable to discuss in the Orthodox Jewish world. Some assume that it is nothing but a “left-wing meshugas” which doesn’t align with their own political leanings. Some perceive it as a threat to their religious world-view, challenging their understanding of how Hashem runs the world and teachings regarding the Messianic Era. It is often portrayed as a new secular religion, preaching a new moral code and seeking to take the place of conventional religion.
For these and other reasons, much of the Orthodox Jewish world has, for the most part, essentially ignored the topic, not devoting it serious attention.
Why is this discussion important?
The motivation in creating this website emerges from a deep-seated belief that this issue is one in which the Torah world needs to become more engaged. Why?
1. We need the Torah’s guidance
Climate change is one of the leading issues on the global agenda, with concern rising among large segments of the global population, particularly the younger generation. It is worrying that people are not receiving guidance on this critical issue from a Torah perspective. If the Torah is to be seen as the guide to our lives, it is not sufficient for it to be taught from a narrow perspective, limited to teaching us what bracha to say on a particular food or what activities are forbidden on Shabbat. Torah encompasses the totality of life itself offering deep and illuminating insights regarding every issue of serious concern. If we fail to acknowledge this, we are selling Torah short, spreading the message that it has nothing substantial to say about many of the matters that are relevant to most people.
Some may respond and say that the Torah actually has nothing substantial to say about climate change, and for good reason, because the issue is not truly important. We will address this claim at length. For now, we will simply say that one has to be careful not to project one’s own prejudices on Torah. To seek the Torah’s perspective on an issue requires careful and objective analysis, not instinctively assuming that it aligns with one’s own preconceived ideas. We have a responsibility to present the Torah in an honest and impartial manner. To do otherwise would constitute a major failing on our part, with potentially tragic consequences, including leading Jews to feel alienated from Torah, God forbid. Offering an articulate Torah viewpoint on this issue would not only support frum Jews looking for guidance, but could even be a source of inspiration for Jews of all kinds bringing them closer to Torah.
Furthermore, the way things are developing, not only is this issue not going anywhere, it will actually become more and more of a concern as time goes on, to the point that no one will dismiss it any longer. To have aligned Torah with a dismissive position until that point in time would not only be embarrassing in hindsight, it would be a great chillul Hashem, where it should have been the opposite, providing leadership and guidance to deal with an uncertain future.
As we intend to show, a Torah perspective on this issue has a lot to contribute not just to the Jewish world, but to the global community in the way it can approach climate change.
2. Dismissiveness is sometimes an expression of denial
At times, those who dismiss certain concerns are not coming from a position of deep insight into the issues, but because they don’t really know how to deal with them. Rather than living with the discomfort of having to confront the issues, they prefer to go into a state of denial, purely as a defense mechanism, assuming the issue isn’t an issue at all and utilizing whatever means they have at their disposal to justify their position.
Being an issue of great global concern, people have tended to respond to climate change in different ways. Some have responded with alarm and panic. Others have responded with denial. Neither of these approaches is particularly helpful.
Fortunately, there is another way to approach the issue, one which is neither alarmist nor denialist. By exploring Torah perspectives, we can realize that, in fact, there is no need for alarm, despair or denial. We can proceed with confidence and, b’ezrat Hashem (with Hashem’s help), do what we need to do.
3. The Orthodox Jewish world can make a difference
As I hope to argue in future essays, there is a strong basis to argue that Orthodox Jewry can, in fact, make a profound impact in this area. That being the case, the Torah world should be at the forefront of that impact, fulfilling Hashem’s promise to Avraham: “through you all the nations of the world shall be blessed”; and certainly not lagging far behind. But we will only be able to get there by properly engaging the issues and revealing the light of Torah.
4. “Lehagdil Torah ul’ha’adirah” (“To expand and glorify Torah”)
Climate change raises fascinating ethical and philosophical questions. Even without considering the practical needs discussed above, as learners of Torah, it is our duty to shine the light of Torah on all areas of life and explore its timeless insights.
The Sefer Chasidim teaches that mitzvot that are not learnt or observed are akin to a “meit mitzva” and that we have a special duty to study them. In this spirit, the Chofetz Chaim famously brought lashon hara and other formerly-neglected halachic areas to the fore.
Although climate change has been on the world agenda for many years, very little Torah analysis has been done in relation to it. The time is ripe for change.
Torah & Climate’s Goal
Torah & Climate seeks to respond to the need for greater discussion in this area. It is not seeking to be the last word on the matter, but rather to be a discussion-starter, presenting what scientists are saying about climate change and proposing some formulations of what a Torah position might entail.
