New Year for Trees
“Judaism’s ecological imperative is a delicate balance between “mastering and subduing” nature (Bereishit 1), and “serving and protecting” it (Bereishit 2). The general principle is that we must see ourselves as the guardians of the world, for the sake of future generations.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
15 Shevat 5786
Begins: Sundown on Sunday 1 February 2026
Ends: Nightfall on Monday 2 February 2026
ARTICLES, REFLECTIONS
Few texts have had a deeper influence on Western civilisation than the first chapter of Genesis, with its momentous vision...
Essays and writings from Rabbi Sacks' extensive body of work
CREDO
One of my favourite Jewish sayings is, “Many people worry about their own stomachs and the state of other people’s...
BOOKLETS, LECTURES, PAMPHLETS, SPEECHES
Download a PDF of this lecture on environmental ethics delivered by Rabbi Sacks at the JNF Rabbinical Conference which took...
ARTICLES, JEWISH CHRONICLE ARTICLES
...year, and the jubilee year — as powerful, forms of environmental education. On Shabbat, we are commanded to renounce our manipulation of the world. It is a day that sets a limit to our intervention in nature. The earth is not ours, but God's. For six days, it is handed over to our management; on the seventh day, we symbolically...
Resources from Rabbi Sacks' book Ceremony & Celebration: Family Edition, designed for kids and students of all ages to help them discover new insights within the Jewish festivals and encourage dynamic discussion around your Yom Tov tables.
