Nature: God's Gift to Us

By Rabbi Ed Romm
Director, Center on Campus
Fuchsberg Center for Conservative Judaism in Israel

There are three Hebrew words that share the same three letter root: "Litboa (to drown, sink)," "Matbea (coin)," and "Teva (nature)." They share a common concept as well. The surface of water is smooth until an object sinks and makes an imprint (ripple) on the water surface. A coin is a piece of metal in which an imprint is made on the blank metal. Nature is God's imprint on the world.

Judaism is very much environmentally sensitive and we are instructed to not destroy God's world: "He who destroys anything from which enjoyment may be derived transgresses." The commandment of "Bal Tashhit" teaches us that it is forbidden to deliberately waste or destroy.  One should not be greedy and deplete our natural resources.

Our prayers also connect to nature. There are special blessings for fragrant spices, trees and shrubs, herbs, plants and fruits. There is a blessing for wonders of nature including lightning, shooting stars, vast deserts, high mountains and a sunrise. There are also blessings upon seeing a rainbow, hearing thunder and seeing trees and creatures of striking beauty.

It says in the 24^th Psalm, "To God is the world and all that dwells there in."  In Psalm 115 it is written, "The heavens are the heavens of God and the land God gave to people." These two verses seem to contradict each other. Not a problem! Everything belongs to God.  First we must ask for permission from God by acknowledging God's ownership and reciting the appropriate blessing. Then the world is released to our care. Only then can we use the goodness of the world…with one additional condition: not to waste this precious gift from our Creator.

[Posted 10/7/10]