The Environment in Jewish Law: Essays and Responsa (Progressive Halakhah, 12)

Environmental concerns are at the top of the agenda around the world. Judaism, like the other world religions, only rarely raised issues concerning the environment in the past. This means that modern Judaism, the halakhic tradition no less than others, must build on a slim foundation in its efforts to give guidance. The essays in this volume mark the beginning of a new effort to face questions and formulate answers of vital importance.

Walter Jacob was Senior Scholar of Rodef Shalom Congregation, Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania. He also served as President of the Freehof Institute of Progressive Halakhah. He is the author and editor of a number of titles including American Reform Responsa (1983), Liberal Judaism and Halakhah (1988) and Not by Birth Alone, Conversion to Judaism (1997).

Moshe Zemer (1932-2011) was Director of the Freehof Insittue of Progressive Halakhah and a founder of the Movement for Progressive Judaism in Israel. He contributed to numerous articles on halakhah in the Israeli press and scientific journals and was author of The Sane Halakhah [Hebrew], (1993) which was translated into both German and English.