Torah and TBO's Organic Garden - By Jeff Tucker
TBO SERMON- April 2, 2010
“Torah and TBO’s Organic Garden”
By: Jeff Tucker
Genesis tells us Gan Eden was the original home for Adam (human prototype) in a special universe called Adamah. Was it a Safe and idyllic environment? Maybe Or Not but GAN EDEN is characterized as a GAR DEN or maybe it was a Jungle. Tonight WE, on our separate spiritual paths are deeply seeking harmonious relations with Mother Nature and our inner nature and each other because this harmony leads us to Shalom and supports Chaim. Let us align our actions and beliefs under the banner of Magen David traditions, under a Tallit of Peace- so we may understand our lives in Judaism.s rich context.
More than many shuls, TBO is Green, with our own Jungle and recent Organic Herb/Veggie Garden (POINT over THERE.) We are not alone in this as people everywhere hasten to Save The Earth, prevent catastrophic Global Warming and turn the tide of ecological devastation.
We embrace those powerful forces which urge us to Reduce, Reuse, Recyle, Repair, to Go Green, to adopt Simplicity, Sustainability and Community… All have Jewish origins ! Torah is full of environmentalism and ecological wisdom. It is the Jewish, Holistic, Organic Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth.
And our siddur, Kol Haneshamah, happens to be FULL of references to nature, to agriculture, to living lightly and wisely on the land, our bonds to the million species sharing this Web Of Life - Just as Organic farmers and gardeners do. That they are now the minority is a sad testament to the power of political/economic manipulation and the shredding of many halachic covenants at the behest of corporate interests.
But we are still Shomei Adamah, Stewards of The Earth – long ago cautioned by Adonai “IF YOU SPOIL MY WORLD there will be none after you to repair it. Now is the time to react to that grave warning, and Beth Or’s campus a place to begin. Organically grown herbs and veggies Have and Have Not. They have more minerals, vitamins. The have not the residues of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides which are carcinogenic or worse.
They lack artificial genetic modifications but they typically taste better. They don’t use expensive, polluting artificial fertilizers- they do provide better jobs and a healthier lifestyle. Returning to our roots is a good idea, rediscovering the agricultural basis of our ancestors’ society. Some of those roots are to be found in our 8 raised beds, filled with rich soil and rapidly-growing plants.
Similarly our bodies are private temples for the One Breath Of Life yet are all interconnected by a web of loving-kindness. Similarly the mycozymes living within our garden plots miraculously connect all plants root systems, sharing the minerals, salts and moisture in a grand system of tzedakah.
Our Mitzvot are Tikkun Olam - for our own sake also for the Greater Good. The more compassion, the More Justice. As we help and heal locally so the helping and healing affects globally. Organic food production is not just a single manifestation of Halachic intent, it is inherent and necessarily within it
The world-famous movie Avatar has blueskinned people called Navi worship Eywa under their Sacred Trees. At TuBshvat Jewish prophets (Naviim) cry out to nprotct Yahweh,s Kabbalistic Tree of Life (represented by that wall oplaque)
Fortunately many non-Jews have rushed into Miami Dade’s organic compost/garden enterprise, setting a pace, breaking new ground (‘tilling’ new ground ha ha). They are called Urban Oasis, Urban Paradise, Edible Gardens and Fertile Earth Foundation. And thanks to our own Prof. Marvin Dunn, who’s Liberty City Community Garden, and whose organization, Roots In The City, supported creation of the Jacob Tucker Memorial Garden. So did Alee Karp and those green thumbs, Shomrei Ademah dirt-diggers who made this property bloom some 12 years ago.