In honor of the public reading of the story of Noah in synagogues around the world this past Sabbath, the Kiryat Gat Hesder Yeshiva held a “Green Sabbath” for environmental awareness.
Synagogues in the northern Negev city took part in the activities as well, which were organized in conjunction with the “Hebrew Nature” association.
The Sabbath in Kiryat Gat was marked by Torah classes and lectures on various issues having to do with ecology and environmentalism. “Especially at these times,” said yeshiva director Nissim Abisidris, “there is great Halakhic [Jewish legal] and ethical importance to these topics, and we wished to bring this to public attention of our students and the community at large.”
Some 500 residents and students took part in the various activities, which centered upon the ecological commitments obligatory upon the public and individuals.
The central event took place on Thursday, which featured a lecture on the ecological crisis by environmental spokesman Ruhan Snir. He explained that the solution need not be global, but rather, “as a consumer, each individual has the ability to influence how we preserve our environment.” He said, for instance, that we should buy only out of need, not out of habit; to recycle products when possible; and not to use throw-away plates and cups.
Other lectures and classes were: Our Attitude to Nature; Aesthetics and Ecology According to the Torah; The Link Between ‘Bal Tash’chit’ [Do not needlessly destroy] and ‘Do Not Murder’; and “Money Kills Nature and Nature Kills Man.”
The Kiryat Gat Hesder Yeshiva was founded four years ago, and places an emphasis on student involvement in the community – including Torah classes, Jewish holiday events, aid to the needy, and more.