Torah of the Earth Vol 1: Exploring 4,000 Years of Ecology in Jewish Thought: Zionism & Eco-Judaism

Can we re-imagine our relationship to the earth―using the
viewpoints and texts of the last four millennia?

Human responses to the natural world stretching back through the last 4,000 years come to life in this major new resource providing a diverse group of ecological and religious voices. It gives us an invaluable key to understanding the intersection of ecology and Judaism, and offers the wisdom of Judaism in dealing with the present environmental crisis.

Both intelligent and accessible, Torah of the Earth is an essential resource and a reminder to us that humans and the earth are intertwined.

More than 30 leading scholars and experts enlighten, provoke, and provide a guided tour of ecological thought from four major Jewish viewpoints:

Vol. 1:
Biblical Israel: One Land, One People
Rabbinic Judaism: One People, Many Lands

Vol. 2:
Zionism: One Land, Two Peoples
Eco-Judaism: One Earth, Many Peoples

Rabbi Arthur O. Waskow is recognized as one of the leading thinkers of the Jewish renewal movement. He has been at the forefront of creating Jewish renewal theory, practice and institutions. He founded and directs The Shalom Center, and is a Pathfinder of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, an international network. He is founder and editor of the journal New Menorah, and helped found the Fabrangen Cheder and the National Havurah Committee. His previous books include Godwrestling; Godwrestling―Round 2: Ancient Wisdom, Future Paths, which was named "Best Religion Book of the Year"; The Freedom Seder; Seasons of Our Joy; Freedom Journeys: The Tale of Exodus and Wilderness across Millennia; Torah of the Earth: Exploring 4,000 Years of Ecology in Jewish Thought, Vol. 1: Biblical Israel and Rabbinic Judaism; Torah of the Earth: Exploring 4,000 Years of Ecology in Jewish Thought, Vol. 2: Zionism and Eco-Judaism and Down-to-Earth Judaism. He is the co-editor of Trees, Earth, Torah: A Tu B'Shvat Anthology (Jewish Publication Society).

He and his wife, Phyllis Berman, who is also a leader of Jewish renewal, often join to speak, teach new forms of prayer and lead retreats and workshops in many Jewish and interreligious settings. Together they wrote Tales of Tikkun: New Jewish Stories to Heal the Wounded World.

Waskow lives in the Philadelphia area. He has two grown children of his own, is "associate parent" for two others and has one son-in-law and one daughter-in-law.

Rabbi Arthur O. Waskow is available to speak on the following topics:

• Freedom Journeys across Millennia
• Jewish Wisdom on the Earth and Human Earthlings
• Praying with Our Legs: Social Action Rooted in Spiritual Commitment
• Transformative Judaism
• The Flow of Jewish Time

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