RELG 067. Judaism and Nature

“We are not obligated to complete the task; neither are we free to abstain from it.” (Pirke Avot 2:21) The task before us is to examine the relationship(s) between Judaism and Nature. We are setting out to decide-or at least ponder-the following questions (though we will surely encounter more along the way): What does Jewish literature from the Garden of Eden to the present day say about the earth and humanity’s relationship with it? Because of the growing awareness about current ecological concerns and crises, Jewish tradition is being mined-or cultivated-for historical precedents that reflect ecologically sound models of Jewish living. How fruitful is this process? To what extent can contemporary Jews rely on tradition to provide such models, and to what extent must Jews today find new ways of bringing humanity and nature together?
Humanities.
1 credit.
Catalog chapter: Religion
Department website: http://www.swarthmore.edu/religion

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