In this week’s episode of Honi’s Circle we study a text from Vayikra Rabbah, that features a parable told by R’ Shimon bar Yochai about a sailor drilling a hole in a boat, and being challenged by his friends. The parable goes to show the effect that our actions have on the whole community. We discuss what can contribute to self- and environment-sabotaging behaviors, and how we might better persuade others to join the fight to slow climate change. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/541905

In this week’s episode of Honi’s Circle we study texts from Likutei Moharan and Kohelet Rabbah that speak about how, when we feel ownership over creation, we are called to protect it, educate ourselves about it, and improve its condition. We talk about one way of improving the environment, which is aligning our diets to reduce our ecological impact, including exploring a plant-based diet, and/or eating regeneratively produced food. Thank you to SHAMAYIM: Jewish Animal Advocacy for the vegan grant to Congregation Beth Shalom and for the texts in this episode. Follow along with the source sheet here: www.sefaria.org/sheets/541909

In this week’s episode of Honi’s Circle we study a text from tractate Taanit, in which Rav Nachman asks for a blessing from Rav Yitzchak, and Rav Yitzchak blesses him by saying he should be like a tree, which is close to perfect. However, the one thing the tree can use good wishes for is that the its offspring should be like it. We discuss the myriad climate benefits of planting trees, as well as Judaism’s historical relationship towards non-human beings, and how, in the era of knowing how closely our survival is tied to the surrounding eco-system, these attitudes might change. Follow along on the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/541044?lang=bi