The first Jewish environmentalist: the green philosophy of A.D. Gordon

Abstract

"In light of the climate crisis, communities of faith must rethink their traditions and adapt them to the rapidly changing environmental reality. Such religious reflection is essential - no less than scientific investigation - if we are to address and manage our impact on the environment. It is in this spirit that The First Jewish Environmentalist sets out to introduce Gordon's green Jewish philosophy to a new generation of readers. Hailed by Martin Buber as 'the true teacher', pioneer, philosopher and dreamer, Aharon David Gordon (Russian Empire- Land of Israel, 1856-1922) is increasingly being recognized as the first Jewish environmentalist. Long before global warming became a major threat, Gordon warned against the mounting dangers of human assault on nature and urged us to open ourselves to nature and re-attune with it. Rather than trying to conquer nature, Gordon argued, we should merge with it; rather than being a master or slave of nature, we should become nature's friend and ally. Since childhood, nature fertilized and shaped Gordon's mindscape, as it eventually did his philosophical writings. Gordon's fresh insights on critical contemporary issues - such as ecology, gender, social justice, and post-secularism - have recently been inspiring not only a rapidly growing body of scholarly literature, but also communal readings and study among young readers whose imagination was captured by Gordon's thoughts and dreams"--