Spirit in Nature: Teaching Judaism and Ecology on the Trail - Softcover

Biers-Ariel, Matt; Newbrun, Deborah; Smart, Michal Fox

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0874416868 ISBN 13: 9780874416862

Publisher: Behrman House, 2000

Synopsis

Examine the beauty and wonder of nature--through Jewish eyes.

Divided into six chapters--including "Trees: The Torah of Life," "Opening Our Eyes to Miracles," and "Ma'ariv Aravim: Blessing the Night"--Spirit in Nature's 27 activities are designed to enhance environmental awareness from a Jewish perspective.

Through these activities, hikers of all ages will come alive to the miracle of God's creations. They focus on the marvels of nature: hosts of tiny creatures living in the soil, the rainbow of colors embellishing fields and trees and stones, the intricate interdependence of plants and animals. Each discovery celebrates the divine spark that exists within every living creature and every object found in the natural world.

Building on Jewish sources and Jewish tradition, Spirit in Nature fosters respect for flora, fauna, and natural phenomena and shows how to sanctify them with the appropriate prayer, such as the blessing recited upon seeing a rainbow or upon smelling a fragrant plant. This pioneering work will awaken hikers to the wisdom of Jewish tradition in its dedication to safeguarding and preserving the bounty of God's creation.

An index highlighting the connection between key Jewish values and the environment makes Spirit in Nature an effective classroom tool.

A "must-have" for camp directors, counselors, teachers, rabbis, parents, youth group leaders, and community center workers.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Experience the beauty and wonder of nature-through Jewish eyes. Spirit in Nature awakens hikers of all ages to the miracle of God's creations. Building on Jewish sources, this essential guide fosters respect for the living things that inhabit the woods and wilderness; its activities reveal the wisdom of Jewish tradition in safeguarding and preserving the environment. Spirit in Nature will guide camp directors, counselors, teachers, religious leaders, parents, and youth group leaders in nourishing the spiritual lives of hikers exploring the natural world.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Observation: Moses Style In order to properly attend to the needs of a flock, a shepherd must be acutely aware of the surrounding environment: the weather, possibilities for shelter, sources of food and water, and the presence of predators. If you have ever watched a campfire, for example, you know it takes quite a while until you notice the wood burning up. Moses, a shepherd, was so keenly observant that he spotted a bush that was burning without being consumed. Moses had to watch for a long time to make his observation. Perhaps that is one of the reasons God chose Moses: In him, God had a patient and observant leader. Ages: 7 and up Hikers' Goals: To observe the colors in nature with heightened awareness Materials: Paper paint samples from a paint or hardware store, cut into one- inch color squares Procedure: This activity is a great walking game. Tell the story of the burning bush, focusing on Moses' ability to observe. Give a paint square to each hiker. Ask the hikers to match the color exactly to something they find along the way. Encourage them to be as observant as Moses. Debriefing: Examine together the items the hikers found to match their paint squares. Questions to Ask Hikers: Did the Moses story influence the way you searched? Did your patience help you to observe more? Which colors were hardest to match? Why?

Edition details

• Publisher: Behrman House
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0874416868
• ISBN 13: 9780874416862
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 80