The Ecological Message of the Torah: Knowledge, Concepts and Laws with Made Survival in a land of Milk and Honey Possible »

The Hebrew Bible was written by authors who had a very modern idea of basic biology and a deep insight into the functioning of fragile ecosystems. They had a well-founded concept of how nature should be treated so that it would not be degraded but preserved and handed over intact to the next generation. To achieve this goal the sages did not rely on a general feeling of benevolence towards nature but came up with a cogent system of laws which precisely directed their way of handling natural resources. The main goals of these ecological commandments of the Torah were to avoid overuse of the land and to maintain a high diversity of species. This program enabled the Israelites to establish a highly productive sustained agriculture under the rather adverse conditions of a "land of milk and honey."

Booknews

Analyzes scripture in the Torah in a search for basic biological and ecological facts and insights. These are analyzed against the background of Jewish and Christian exegesis and the state of the art of contemporary biology. The relevance of biological and ecological knowledge to the way of life of the ancient Israelites and the fragile ecology of the region where the Jews settled in their formative period is then discussed. Looks at concepts of species, laws concerning hygiene, and ideas on water and purity. Includes a glossary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)