Nati Passow - Jewish Traditions

This episode serves as an introduction to these ideas, and Nati’s background, as, similar to the conversation with Rhamis Kent and Islam, there is a great deal of ground to cover before getting to the conversation proper, because my understanding of Judaism, is very limited and I pepper the conversation with questions to get myself up to speed.

Regardless of your background, however, this is a good place to begin if understanding the cultural underpinnings for the rituals, customs, and beliefs that make up this modern world are part of your permaculture practice. This promises to be the start of something that leads to more practical practices stemming from Jewish teachings.

You can find out more about Nati and his work at Jewish Farm School.

Coming out of this, Nati’s closing notes grab hold of me and connect the thread of the faiths of Abraham—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—is the creation story from Genesis. That we come from the earth, made from the dirt, or clay. Those few inches of topsoil that cover the land allow crops to grow and animals to feed. Though the earth is covered by so much water and there are traditions of fisherman, it is still Earth from which we arise in these traditions; faiths that encompass more than half the world’s population.

From that it seems a natural fit, as a non-theologian, to tend to where we come from, whatever may happen in the next life. What we have is this world, this Eden, given to each of us by virtue of our birth. We are shepherds. Gardeners. Tenders of the wild.

If there is any way I can help you to explore these ideas of faith and earth care, get in touch. 

Continue the conversation by leaving a comment below. 

Resources:
Jewish Farm School
Institute for Social Ecology
The Teva Learning Center
Adamah Farm
Greener Partners
Eden Village Camp
The Shalom Center (Rabbi Arthur Waskow)