Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks – Eco Judaism Roots

Where do environmentalist ideas within Judaism actually begin? Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks traces this question back to its earliest roots, exploring the biblical account of Adam being instructed to preserve the environment as one of humanity’s foundational responsibilities. In this talk, Rabbi Sacks examines how this early instruction establishes a theological basis for environmental stewardship that predates modern environmentalism by millennia, demonstrating that care for the Earth has been embedded within Jewish thought since the very beginning of scripture.

His reflection offers a compelling historical and textual foundation for understanding Judaism’s relationship to ecological responsibility, framing environmentalism not as a contemporary addition to Jewish practice, but as a core value present from the tradition’s origins. Viewers interested in further exploring Jewish environmental leadership can check out a related video featuring Rabbi Ronen Lubitch on Judaism and ecology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGgrCyKSy5E&t=10s

Check out our website : https://www.interfaithsustain.com