[Avodah] Edges and diversity

Tue Dec 14 23:46:28 PST 2010

During a lecture on Jewish though and the environment given by Talya
Shneider, she raised several issues. A summary of some of these issues from
the environmental view point (and links to related resources) can be found
http://news.donavanhall.net/?p=23.  The author of this article makes some
additional interesting points that I will not discuss here, but may be of
interest to members of Avodah.

Issue one - edges.

Quote: Bill Mollison mentioned the importance of edges in agriculture. The
edge of the field is the most productive part of the field. The reason is
that the edge is in contact with another environment. The greatest diversity
of fauna is found at these boundaries because the species that live in both
environments live together at the edge, their ecosystems interacting. [from
a linked podcast] {end of quote}

Note:  In monoculture, the edge of the field is razed to prevent this
diversity as it interferes with modern growing methods and calculations. 

In the lecture this was related to Mitzvat Pe'ah - leaving the corners (part
of the edge) of the field to the poor. This is actually an area of abundance
[there is a higher yield at the edge than in the center of the field]
created by Hashem, and so Hashem gives part of the edge to the poor.

Issue two - diversity in the human sphere

Note: In general it has been found in nature that areas of increased
diversity are also the most fruitful.

Quote: Luisa Maffi made the point that bilingualism is the norm for humans.
Only speaking a single language (the curse of many of us in the US) is a
comparatively recent phenomena. I wonder if monolingualism was a concomitant
development with monoculture? If monoculture is the worst way to grow food,
then single global culture can't be good for the human mind and our
creativity. {end of quote}

Just a thought - Sanhedrin was supposed to know 70 languages.  It makes
sense that learning languages was part of the education system as not
everyone can learn that many languages, but it means that at least some
pursued this, which would probably make it common for people to speak more
than a single language.  The Tanach does assume knowledge of at least Hebrew
and Aramaic, and so does the Talmud.

During the lecture Talya Shneider raised the issue of Israel vs. the Nations
in an interesting way. She started with Havdala where we bless Hashem for
separating "HaMavdil Bein Ohr LeChoshech, Bein Yisrael La'amim." That is we
say a blessing for the separation, distinction.  This is an aspect of
diversity. Each nation brings something to this world to make it better.
"Yaft Elokim LeYefet".  There is nothing wrong with beauty per se. We talk
about Noy Mitzva in many contexts (sukka; etrog; marriage.) but it is the
children of Yefet who bring it into this world. So, the distinction is a
good part of the world, not to diminish anyone, rather the opposite, that
each nation brings something that enhances Hashem's world.

When we speak about Israel bringing Torah to the world, Hillel summarizes
Torah in the words Ma DeSsani. - the social context.  This is the basis for
how to create communities.  And this is one of the things that Israel
teaches the nations - how to build communities.  Talya's message in this
case is that each one of us needs to create a community. Simply, directly,
by learning to carry out VeAhavta LeRei'acha Kamocha with 10 individuals, in
the fullest possible way. It's not easy.

There are of course additional issues that Israel teaches the nations -
including the most important - Emunah BaHashem.  It is the belief in Hashem
and the Torah which has maintained Israel when all the other
agriculture-cultures have slowly but surely been lost. Not just the
Persians, Greeks and Romans that are usually mentioned in such discourses.
The loss has continued over the centuries, with the destruction of the
chinampas system of the Aztecs by the Spanish (see
http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-farming.html; btw, there is apparently an
Israeli (Jewish) who is attempting to revive this agriculture among the
south american Indians).  In India, an ancient successful agricultural
system known as Vedic agriculture  is also disappearing
http://www.dhyanapeetam.org/Web/VedicAgriculturalSociety.asp , as many
Indian villages move to western interests and manufacturing methods.  Only
the belief in Hashem and the study of Torah has maintained the Jewish
community, culture and agriculture (though most of us are not involved in it
directly beyond learning Masechet Zera'im).

In this context I would like to recommend the book Nosseh Alumotav, a
collection of lectures given by Rav Tzvi Yisrael Tau,
http://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A6%D7%91%D7%99_%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%
9C_%D7%98%D7%90%D7%95 Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Ha HaMor, on the topic of the
value of agriculture in Israel as an aspect of Geulah
(http://tora-shlema.co.il/syllabus.aspx?id=46 I have no connection to this
store), mitzvoth HaAretz and related topics.

For further information on Talya Shneider see the article in Shabbat
BeShabbato, page 3 on "keeping seeds" http://www.yaarbooks.com/1298.pdf.

Compliment to Avodah/Areivim: As a social endeavor that is out on the edge
and maintains the largest diversity in opinions - it is probably one of the
most fruitful Jewishly speaking <g>

Shoshana L. Boublil

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