Long before the first landfill came into existence and before the word "environmentalism" was coined, Jewish tradition was teaching the value of taking care of the earth. 
   Our tradition teaches that the moment Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, the human being was to play a special part in the Oneness of creation — to become its guardian, to work and to protect the Garden (Genesis). 
   As Jews,we have a 4,000-year-old written and oral tradition guiding our relationship with the earth in general and the land of Israel in particular. 
   Given the deep love and respect Jewish tradition has for nature, it is not surprising that nature plays such an important role in Jewish life. 
   Nature themes are found throughout the prayer book, they are integral to the cycle of Jewish holidays and there are many references to nature in the Torah. Nature is credited with being the oldest doorway of spirituality in Jewish life. According to our tradition, Abraham discerned the Oneness of God by observing the ecology, the interconnections, of the world around him. 
   Another example is Bal Tashchit, the Torah’s Prohibition Against Waste. With two words, Judaism offers the answer to 90% of the environmental problems facing us today and threatening the quality of life of our children and grandchildren. 
   In the Book of Deuteronomy (D’varim 20:19) we read "When in your war against a city you have to besiege it for a long time in order to capture it, you must not destroy its fruit trees. You may eat of them but you must not destroy the fruit trees." 
   The rabbis of old understood this to be a general prohibition against wasting or destroying anything. Later rabbis elaborated still further — "don’t destroy anything needlessly; don’t use more than you need; don’t use something of higher value when something of lesser value works just as well; and don’t use something in a way it was not meant to be used or you are likely to destroy the item you are using." 
   Today, there is an ever-expanding circle of Jewish Community Centers, schools, congregations, Hillels, and camps that have adopted the techniques and learning activities that characterize Jewish environmental nature education. Contact your local JCC, school, or synagogue and find out what ideas and activities they have that might be right for you. 
   In keeping with Jewish teachings, here are three great projects to help teach these principles along with basic nature appreciation in your home. 

The Toothbrush Challenge 
   Did you know the average American uses two gallons of water per day to brush their teeth in the morning and at night, when in fact, less than half of a cup of water actually enters the mouth? 
   This means that a family of four wastes eight gallons of water per day, 56 gallons per week, and nearly 3,000 gallons per year. 
   Now multiply that by the population of your child’s school, your community, or your state to help you understand how much water we’re wasting. Then try this challenge in your home. 
   Plug the sink when it’s teeth-brushing time and collect all of the water that is used. You may be appalled at what you see! Hopefully you’ll never let the water run again while you brush.You will be doing a mitzvah! 
   Hey all you men out there, try the same thing the next time you shave and you can save even more precious water! 

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