2011 HSC Studies of Religion
Exam solutions
Some religions emphasise justice, while others emphasise compassion.
To what extent does the statement apply to the distinctive response of Judaism to
the enduring questions of human existence?
Judaism is a living religious tradition that has a significant impact on the life of
its adherents. Jewish teachings stem from the Torah and the Tanach, Judaism has
always sought to promote justice and compassion. Moses Maimonides a Jewish
scholar and physician born in the 12th Century wrote many philosophical works and
treatises, his views and teachings served to codify Jewish law (halakhah), thus
contributing to a more egalitarian Jewish society. The prophet Micah encouraged
Jewish adherents to– “Act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your
God” Micah 6:8 and it is this very sentiment that underpins Jewish responses to
issues related to the environment and the care that humans must show for it.
Moses Maimonides is often cited as one of the greatest Jewish jurists,
motivated by the desire to “act justly” he is most significantly known for his works on
Jewish law as he codified the 613 Mitzvot of the Torah or Pentateuch thereby
making it accessible and understandable to all members of the Jewish community.
Maimonides also wrote another important work known as “The Guide to the
Perplexed”, this was written to help the people of that time who were questioning the
discrepancies between the Torah and scientific and philosophical ideas. Maimonides
concentrated on placing clear and unbiased solutions to rabbinical questions which
had puzzled members of the Jewish community in the past. He sought to return to
the biblical texts in order to form the framework for his interpretations as he felt that
the rabbinic sources had strayed away from their true meaning. A prime example
can be found in his work known as ‘The Guide for the Perplexed’, here Maimonides
deals with the issues that were confronting people at that time in regards to Jewish
views about creation and God’s transcendence, as opposed to the views supported
by Greek philosophy. Moses sought to counterbalance these views and to open the
eyes of the Jewish people at that time about both immanence and transcendence.
“Do not imagine that what we have said of the insufficiency of our understanding and
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of its limited extent is an assertion founded only on the Bible: for philosophers
likewise assert the same, and perfectly understand it, - without having regard to any
religion or opinion.” Maimonides was greatly respected by Thomas Aquinas, and
people of other faiths as well as the Jewish people. Maimonides' work became
accepted by rationalists who believed that views and actions should be based on
reason and knowledge and not purely religious belief or emotional responses. Moses
work aimed at creating a more just world whereby all members of society could gain
an understanding of Jewish philosophy and religious ideals. Even today Jewish
philosophers make reference to his work and it has had a significant impact on
philosophy both in his time and today.
Moses Maimonides in the Mishnah Torah wrote "When a person observes
God's works and God's great and marvellous creatures, and they see from them
God's wisdom that is without estimate or end, immediately they will love God, praise
God and long with a great desire to know God's Great Name." Caring for creation is
one of the most central concepts of Judaism and Jewish responses in relation to the
care and stewardship for the environment are reflected in their understanding of
what it means to “act justly”, for without God’s creation humanity could not exist.
Judaism teaches that only God has ownership over Creation, “Now the earth was
formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of
God was hovering over the waters.” Genesis 1:2, this view is theocentric and
Judaism believes that the world belongs to God; humans are instructed that must not
mismanage Creation. Rabbinic law teaches God created the world and that
everything in this world including humanity is part of the order of creation. There is a
Jewish teaching known as ‘tzelem Elohim’ this means that humans were created by
God in Gods image and as such should act as God’s agents on this earth by caring
for it just as God would.
Environmental Justice therefore is a core Jewish value and the teachings and
examples found in the Torah are just as significant today as they were four thousand
years ago. Based on the teaching of Bal Taschit - ("do not destroy") is a basic
ethical principle in Jewish law. This teaching is based on the passage in
Deuteronomy 20:19 - “When you besiege a city a long time, to make war against it in
order to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by swinging an axe against them;
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for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down.” The Jewish teaching
of Tzedek or righteousness is reflected in the concepts of the Sabbatical year
Leviticus 25:3 “For six years you shall sow your field, and for six years you shall
prune your vineyard and gather in its fruits, but in the seventh year there shall be a
Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to the Lord ” and the Jubilee Year
“And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to
all its inhabitants.” Leviticus 25:10. In the 21st Century, globalization has created the
unimpeded movement of people, information, money, goods and services; it has also
cause disruption and chaos for the environment, creating an unjust and unfair world.
Modern day Jewish environmentalists have called these actions into question
demanding that Jews use the concept of Tzedek to create a sustainable and just
world for future generations. The term Tikkun Olam – ‘repair the world’ is often used
by the modern day environmental movement. Tikkun olam requires humans to work
in corporation with God. One group that promotes the concept of Tikkun Olam is
COEJL (Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. COEJL “deepens and
broadens the Jewish community’s commitment to stewardship and protection of the
Earth through outreach, activism and Jewish learning.” The main aim of this group is
to raise awareness and to deepen and broaden the Jewish community’s obligation to
stewardship and care for the Earth through publicity, practical activities and
education. COEJL uses the internet and connections with Jewish leers institutions
and individuals to preserve energy and work towards a more sustainable future for
the planet. The work of COEJL also works with the interfaith community on a local,
national and global level global. Recently COEJL held a webinar as part of the
Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign. The webinar enabled participating groups to
take tangible actions toward reducing their greenhouse gas emissions 14% by 2014.
Interested parties were teamed with experienced Green Teams who advised them
on the best and most practical ways of reducing emissions and assisted them to
introduce practical steps toward reducing energy usage and increasing
environmental responsibility.
Judaism is a living religious tradition that focuses on justice one of its most
central teachings. There are many references in the Torah about the need for justice
in the world and concern with justice is one of the most important messages of
Judaism. The Jewish community has from its beginnings sought responses to the
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enduring questions of human existence, significant Jewish thinkers such as Moses
Maimonides have sought to assist the Jewish people find these answers. In addition
Jewish responses to issues associated with the environment.
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