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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='color:black'>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 </span><a href="http://news.donavanhall.net/?p=23">http://news.donavanhall.net/?p=23</a><span style='color:black'>. 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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Issue one – edges.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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}<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Note: In monoculture, the edge of the field is razed to prevent this diversity as it interferes with modern growing methods and calculations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Issue two – diversity in the human sphere<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Note: In general it has been found in nature that areas of increased diversity are also the most fruitful.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>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}<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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 <a href="http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-farming.html">http://www.aztec-history.com/aztec-farming.html</a>; 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</span> <a href="http://www.dhyanapeetam.org/Web/VedicAgriculturalSociety.asp">http://www.dhyanapeetam.org/Web/VedicAgriculturalSociety.asp</a> <span style='font-size:12.0pt'>, 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).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In this context I would like to recommend the book Nosseh Alumotav, a collection of lectures given by Rav Tzvi Yisrael Tau, <a href="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">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</a> Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Ha HaMor, on the topic of the value of agriculture in Israel as an aspect of Geulah (<a href="http://tora-shlema.co.il/syllabus.aspx?id=46">http://tora-shlema.co.il/syllabus.aspx?id=46</a> I have no connection to this store), mitzvoth HaAretz and related topics.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>For further information on Talya Shneider see the article in Shabbat BeShabbato, page 3 on "keeping seeds" http://www.yaarbooks.com/1298.pdf.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>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><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Shoshana L. Boublil<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:left;direction:ltr;unicode-bidi:embed'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>