Judaism - Ethics Flashcards
jasmine (29 cards)
What are Jewish ethics?
Is the belief that every human is created in God’s Image therefore, is worthy of respect and dignity.
What are Environmental Ethics?
Tries to define a system of values that guides human interaction in the modern world.
When did Environmental ethics emerge and why?
Emerged in the 1970s as a response to the growing awareness of humans’ negative impact on their environment and the need to ‘change or perish’
What does Environmental Ethics include?
- L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect)
- Bal Tashchit (Do not destory)
- Tikkun Olam(repair the world)
- Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim(treatment of animals)
- Laws of Shemitah (release) - (sabbatical year 7th year)
What is the definition of L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect)?
Human’s is appointed by God as Stewards of Creations. Their responsibility is to serve and protect the world by preventing its destruction.
State the evidence of Human’s is L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect)?
Stewardship is implied in (Genesis 2:15) → “…God…put him into the Garden of Eden yo till it and keep it” → This guides Jewish adherents everyday positive behaviour to preserve the world.
What are the environmental issues of L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect)?
Deforestation/ pollution/ over-consumption of natural resources.
What are the negative behaviours of L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect) regarding environmental issues?
- Pollution: Littering → harms animals caught in waste/digestive plastic → Incorrectly disposing of chemicals down the sink → Contributing to pollution of waterways.
- Wasting paper → school/ personal/ office use
What are the positive behaviours of L’ovolah ul’shomrah (to serve and protect) regarding environmental issues?
- Purchasing recycled paper
- Donating $18 to Jewish National Fund who will plant trees in Israel.
- Activity recycling → paper, bottles and cans at home and work, compost bin for foodscapes etc → Participating in ‘Clean Up Australia Day
What is the definition of Bal Tashchit (Do not destroy)?
Outlawing wanton and wasteful destruction of natural/ manufactured resources
State the evidence of Bal Tashchit (Do not destroy)
Maimonides explains that Jew is forbidden to “smash household goods, tear clothes, demolish a building, stop a spring, or destroy articles of food.”
What are the environmental issues of Bal Tashchit (Do not destroy)?
Wastage of:
- Natural resources = water/food, minerals/fossil fuels
- Manufactured = clothes etc
- Recycling
What are the negative behaviours of Bal Tashchit (Do not destroy) regarding the environmental issues?
- Leaving lights on
- Over-utilisation of air-conditioning (heat/cooling).
- Having long, hot showers.
- Driving instead of car-pooling
What are the positive behaviours of Bal Tashchit (Do not destroy) regarding the environmental issues?
- Using public transport or walking a short distance instead of driving
- Reduce → the Number of resources consumed e.g. Have a timer for water in showers/ cleaning cars etc by installing a water tank to collect rainwater.
- Reuse → Clothing/ materials for another purpose e.g. food scraps into compost, old clothes as cleaning rags.
- Recycle → Bottles/ paper/ water. Buy reusable drink bottles. Take your old household batteries to ‘Office Works’ to be recycled
What is the definition of Tikkun Olam (repair the World)
‘repair’ or ‘betterment’ of the world through social justice.
State the evidence of Tikkun Olam (repair the World)
“See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for it you do, there will be no one else to repair it” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah on Ecclesiastes)
What are the environmental issues of Tikkun Olam (repair the World)
- Social justice
- Climate change
What are the negative behaviours of Tikkun Olam (repair the World) regarding environmental issues?
- Ignoring social justice issues
- Denying the impacts of climate change
What are the postive behaviours of Tikkun Olam (repair the World) regarding environmental issues?
- Manifested through charity and behaving with compassion. Jews repair the world by participating in tzedakah (justice and righteousness) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness). Without their stake in the improvement of their environment, injustice and evil will continue to exist.
- Supporting social justice issues e.g /Fairtrade chocolate challenges the global chocolate industry which perpetuates child labour and inhumane working conditions. Lobbies for minimum wages and sustainable cocoa plantations.
- Financially /personally supporting charities e.g Fundraising initiatives of Jewish Care alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the world, promoting economic independence and human dignity for all people.
- Supporting the “beyond Politics - a Jewish call for serious climate action” by contacting their local MP to meet the outlined targets including reducing Australia’s reliance on fossil fuel exports.
What is the definition of Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim (treatment of animals)?
Animals must be treated with respect, cared for and used wisely.
State the evidence of Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim (treatment of animals)?
- “a righteous man has regard for his animals” (proverbs 12:10)
- “ a man must not sit down to his meal before he has fed his animals” (Talmud, Berakhot 4a) → animals provide food for humanity, therefore they are God-given resources to be used for this purpose.
What are the environmental issues of Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim (treatment of animals)?
- Animal Cruelty → testing (cosmetic)
- Game hunting (sport)
- Extinction of species → whaling
What are the negative behaviours of Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim (treatment of animals) regarding environmental issues?
- Kill animals for sport (game hunting e.g. safari hunts) = wanton destruction of a God-given resource
- Cosmetic animal testing (medical animal testing is permitted if it contributes to saving the lives of humans)
- Participating in dog/cockfights
- Purchasing endangered animal products e.g. ivory/ rare furs
What are the positive behaviours of Tza’ar ba’ale hayyim (treatment of animals) regarding environmental issues?
- Not participating in game hunting for sport
- Avoiding purchasing cosmetic products tested on animals
- Advocating for animal rights by supporting organisations e.g RSPCA or WWF (World Wildlife Funds)
- Treating animals with respect → ensuring pets have adequate living conditions.
