Jewish Stewardship of the Environment (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Religious Studies): Revision Note

What does Judaism teach about stewardship?

• The world is important for humans both now and in the future because there is only one planet Earth, and it cannot be replaced

• Religious people believe that they have been given a significant role in ensuring the planet is maintained for future generations

• Religious people believe that they have a duty to look after it (stewardship) and treat it with respect

• They also believe that humans have dominion over nature by permission of G-d

• In Judaism, humans are seen as caretakers of G-d’s creation

• The Hebrew term for this idea is “bal tashchit”, or “do not destroy”

• Jewish beliefs about the world and the role humans have to play affect the way Jewish people act

  • It is the responsibility of all humans to look after the environment and all living creatures within it

  • The world does not belong to humans to treat it as they see fit

    • Humans are taking care of the world for G-d and must treat it with respect for future generations

How are Jews responsible for G-d’s creation?

• Jews believe G-d made the world, so they have a duty to care for it

  • This includes avoiding waste (bal tashchit), acting as stewards and helping to repair the world (tikkun olam)

• Part of the command of bal tashchit is a ban on needless destruction, which encourages sustainability and caring for nature

• Jewish beliefs are influenced by teachings from the Torah, which states:

• This means that the world belongs to G-d, not humans, but that humans are responsible for caring for it

• This belief originates in the book of Genesis and the story of Adam and Eve, where they were placed in the Garden of Eden “to work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15)

• Humans are told to cultivate and protect the Earth and that they are responsible for protecting the environment

  • This means that it is the responsibility of all Jews to take care of the Earth

What is the concept of tikkun olam?

• Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means “repairing” or “perfecting the world”

• It means that Jews have a responsibility to make the world a better place

  • Although this idea is not found directly in the Torah, it has been developed from teachings about kindness and stewardship

  • The idea has its basis in Scripture, which encourages Jews to help fix the earth

• This suggests a duty to care for G-d’s creation, which humans have taken over from Adam and Eve

• This shows the importance of justice and kindness in trying to make the world a better place

How does tikkun olam affect daily life?

• There are many different ways in which tikkun olam affects Jewish life:

  • Social action to help others individually:

    • Jews may support charity (tzedakah) and volunteer

    • Many work to help poor, sick or oppressed people

  • Taking responsibility for the environment:

    • This may involve caring for the earth as stewards

    • It could also include avoiding waste and pollution (bal tashchit)

  • Promoting social justice causes is the best way to do this:

    • Jewish people may do this by fighting for human rights or supporting organisations such as Tzedek or Jewish World Watch

• Ultimately, belief in tikkun olam should encourage Jews to live out their faith through action, not just belief

  • This may help bring about a better world, which some Jewish people may link to the coming of the Messianic Age