The Original Earth Day

Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, is known as the Jewish New Year for trees and is traditionally celebrated around the world as an arbor holiday each year. This year, the 15th of Shevat falls on Monday, January 9th.

The date originally marked the day in which the ages of trees were calculated. So before "sustainability" was a buzz word, the people of Israel were celebrating Tu B'Shevat - possibly the first Earth Day - by planting trees and enjoying fruit indigenous to the region, such as figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Today, Jews traditionally plant trees or make a donation so a tree can be planted in Israel on behalf of a loved one.

Ecology and environmentalism are central to Judaism. Long before we were faced with the environmental challenges we have today, Judaism was addressing them. The concept of Bal Tashchit ("Do Not Destroy") is first introduced in the Book of Deuteronomy (Chap. 20:19-20) as a law outlining ethical behavior humans are commanded to practice during wartime. The Torah states that fruit-bearing trees should not be destroyed while "laying a siege to a warring city."

Although this concept is first specifically addressed in Deuteronomy, the idea that humans have a responsibility to take care of the earth is presented in the very beginning of the story of creation and is central to Jewish belief and tradition. The Torah differentiates humans from the rest of the animals that were created in G-d's image, since we were the only animals given the intellect. Therefore, the Torah states, it is our responsibility to take care of the land and resources G-d created.

In the hour when the Holy One, blessed be He created the first human being, He took him and let him pass before all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him: "See my works, how fine and excellent they are! Now all that I have created, for you have I created it. Think upon this and do not destroy and desolate My World, For if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you."-Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:28

Tu B'Shevat is also one of the most vegetarian-friendly holidays on the Jewish calendar, as it serves as a reminder that we should be good to the earth and be grateful for the fruit, vegetables and grains it provides us with. Vegetarianism is, in fact, one way Jewish people have been protecting the earth for centuries, as it is considered to be the highest form of Kashrut, and some would argue that it is fundamental to Jewish principles.

God said: "Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree that has seed-yielding fruit, to you it shall be for food."-Genesis 1:29

In the Torah, there are several instances in which G-d speaks solely of fruit and grains when discussing food. In fact, whenever meat is discussed, there are very specific rules which we are commanded to follow:

If along the road you chance upon a bird's nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, do not take the mother together with her young. Let the mother go, and take only the young, in order that you may fare well and have a long life. --Deuteronomy 22:6

For more information on Judaism and vegetarianism, visit ShalomVeg.com, or watch this video interview with Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of the bestselling novels Everything Is Illuminated, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, as he discusses why he is a vegetarian.

For more information on Judaism and sustainability and some great ways you can incorporate these principles in your life, visit Hazon.org.

For more information on how being a vegetarian helps you protect the earth (reason No. 1: did you know that one fifth of all greenhouse gasses result from global livestock production?) visit Goveg.com.