The
Jewish Georgian
July/August 2002
Judaism
and Global Survival
New Revised Edition
Lantern 256 pages, $20
By Richard
H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Reviewed by Reg Regenstein
Professor Richard Schwartz, of the College of Staten
Island, New York, is the world’s foremost authority
on the subject of Judaism’s teachings on protecting
animals and the environment. He has written extensively
on the laws and tenets of Judaism that require us
to preserve nature, avoid pollution, and be kind to
animals, and he has found ways in which virtually
every Jewish holiday reflects this compassionate tradition.
If you would like to get on his email list, in which
he expounds regularly on the subject, let us know
at regenstein@mindspring.com.
For example, did you know that the Jews wrote the
first known animal protection law in history? It is
found in the Ten Commandments, where Jews are required
to allow their farm animals to rest on the Sabbath.
Jewish law also mandates that a person feed his animals
before sitting down to eat, something we personally
could not avoid doing in any event, since our dog
Lucky barks like crazy till we feed him. And there
is an entire code of laws in Judaism relating to the
subject of avoiding cruelty to other living creatures.
Now, in his new book, "Judaism and Global Survival"
(Lantern Books), Professor Schwartz comprehensively
weaves together all of these teachings, and shows
how they can help protect our planet for ourselves
and future generations, and guarantee a safe, happy,
healthy prosperous future for us and our children.
A "must read", and a great gift for anyone of any
age.
If you can’t find it at your local bookstore, you
can order it at 1-800-758-3756.
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