Spare That Tree!

Shoftim

Deut. 16:18-21:9

Précis: The parasha Shoftim (literally, “judges”) is devoted primarily to various themes of justice, and includes warnings against false testimony, idol worship, and the dangers posed by mortal kings. The parasha also warns the people against false prophets, magicians, soothsayers and witches. It establishes requirements for cities of refuge in the Promised Land. In short, the parasha is devoted to ways to create a just society in the Land of Israel.

Deut. 20:19 “When in your war against a city you have besieged you have to besiege it a long time in order to capture it, you must not destroy its trees, wielding the ax against them. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down. Are trees of the field human to withdraw from before you into the besieged city? Only trees which you know do not yield food may be destroyed.”

These verses found toward the end of the parasha form the basis for the mitzvah “bal tashchit” ("do not destroy"). While the verse itself deals specifically with cutting down trees during war, the Sages extended its meaning to cover all forms of wasteful destruction. We can infer that for at least 2,500 years, we Jews have been concerned about the environment. Our ancestors understood that life on Earth depends on preserving and protecting its natural resources.  

            The tree in the Torah text is an often used metaphor (tree of life, tree of knowledge, etc.). Here, it is a metaphor for all of the natural aspects of the Earth. We are not prohibited from using the “fruits” of the tree, but we are enjoined from destroying them. In fact, other verses in Torah, particularly early in Genesis, remind us that human beings are stewards of an Earth that God has provided us and other creatures for sustenance.

            In more modern terms, the concept of “bal tashchit” means we must not pollute our air or water, we must oppose the destruction of the rain forests, we need to defend against overfishing, we need to protect endangered species, and we need to learn how not to waste the blessings of nature with which we have been provided.

            There remain some who continue to deny that humanity has had an impact on climate change, and that there is no scientific “proof” that human activity has led to the rapid changes we see occurring all around us, from shrinking glaciers to rising sea levels.

            This verse teaches us that such “proof” is not required for us to take action. We are commanded to treat the earth and all of its resources as a precious heritage and avoid, in any way we can, their destruction.