We are engaged in the fourth chapter of the book Brit Shalom and have reached the last paragraph of chapter four, which is section 19. What is this about?
We said that we must thank the Creator for what He has given us. We must also thank Him for His world and, consequently, take care of His world. Therefore, the ecological concern that is becoming so widespread in our world has an aspect of divine service.
I am reading here: "A person has a special responsibility to preserve the integrity of God's world." In the Midrash, it is told that God took Adam on a tour of the Garden of Eden and showed him the garden.
What did He say to him? "Everything I have created, I created for you. Take care not to spoil or destroy My world." Therefore, it was prohibited for the children of Israel to destroy any plant, animal, or human body without need.
That is, if a person unnecessarily destroys trees, kills animals, or harms their own body, they transgress a prohibition called "bal tashchit." Even during wartime, the Torah warns us not to destroy trees without reason. Only trees that the enemy could hide behind are permitted to be destroyed. And from this, we learn about all forms of destruction.
Indeed, this is a commandment among the 613 commandments of Judaism, but I have written here that it is appropriate for every person to behave in this way.
There is much to learn as good guidance from the law of the children of Israel.
