By Rabbi Shaul David Judelman
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We live in an amazingly diverse world, with approximately 8.3 million unique species described by scientists, and likely twice that number that have not yet been discovered.1 Jewish sources teach that G-d has joy in the diversity and continuity of creation, and that G-d sees a purpose in each of these species. This biodiversity is an expression of G-d’s glory, a testament to the extraordinary creativity of our Creator. As Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks2 teaches, “the unity of God is to be found in the diversity of creation.”3
One of Judaism’s greatest beliefs is in the intention invested by the Creator in His Creation. Our tradition has a tremendous sense of appreciation for the diverse and numerous species on this earth. In addition, we benefit from and can learn a great deal from other species. As human beings, masters and stewards of the world, it is our responsibility to support the continuity of this diverse and extraordinary creation. Recognizing this should impel us to utilize the natural world with great care and responsibility.
Intentions of the Creator
At the beginning of Genesis, the Torah describes human dominion over all things. These verses have shown themselves to be deeply prescient. Today’s modern human technological development has demonstrated this dominion to the greatest extent. The metals in our computers, the organic compounds in our medicines and even the paper in our hands are all examples of our mastery over the world.
But in addition to being used by human beings, each species also has a Divine-given purpose. According to the Talmudic sage Rav, “Of all the things that the Holy One, Blessed be He created in this world, He created nothing without a purpose.”4 For example, the Midrash (Oral tradition) teaches, “Even things which appear to you to be superfluous in this world, like flies, fleas and mosquitoes, they are a part of the creation, and they carry forth the will of the Holy One, even the snake, the mosquito and even the frogs!”5 All creatures from humans to mice to rivers to sand are seen as a manifestation of G-d’s wisdom and glory. This incredible diversity is one of the wonders of our world.
This biodiversity can be a source of wisdom and inspiration for human beings. Scattered across the Oral Tradition are recordings of our Torah sages with appreciation of the great intricacies in the natural world. For example, Psalm 104 teaches us about the habitats of many animals and the perfection with which they fit into the natural order: “As for the stork, the cypress trees are her house. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; the rocks for the badgers.”6 Ethics of the Fathers further teaches us what we can learn from other species: “Yehudah Ben Teima says, be bold like a leopard, with ease like an eagle, run like a deer and be valiant like a lion to do the Will of your Father in Heaven.”7
Often, to understand what our texts intend we are referred back to the plants and geographies of the land of Israel. Psalms 128:3 states, «Your children are like olive shoots around your table.» Without knowing how olive trees grow shoots around the base of the trunk, and that the olive is unique in its refusal to accept grafts from other trees, the blessing of the psalm is rather empty and lost. These and countless other references across the Oral tradition demonstrate that our Sages had an intimate awareness of their natural world.
Maimonides teaches that contemplating creation helps us fulfill the commandment of loving the Creator. He writes:
“And what is the way to love G-d and fear G-d? When a person will contemplate in the incredible creation and the great creatures and see in them G-d’s inestimable and limitless wisdom- [that person] will love and praise and desire a great urge to know the Great Name. As King David said, ‘My soul thirsts for G-d, the Source of Life.’…As the sages said regarding love, that through love of G-d, we come to know [the One who] spoke and the world came to be”8
Continuity of Creation
The Jewish tradition is rich with sources indicating the importance that G-d places on the continuity of species, from the prohibition against mixing species (kilayim)9 to the requirement to send away the mother bird before taking eggs (shiluach haken). 10 The Ramban understands the “permanent existence” of creation to be the key reason for why G-d considered it “very good” on the sixth day,11 and understands G-d’s instruction ‘Let the earth sprout forth sprouts’ to represent the intentional incorporation of the capability of renewal and regeneration into the scheme of creation.12
In the following excerpt from the Talmud, Rabbi Hanina bar Papa explores the source of G-d’s great joy in the Creation: from the fact that a certain species reproduces “according to its kind.”
Rabbi Hanina bar Papa explained the verse (from Psalms 104:31) “Let G-d’s Glory (Kavod) be forever, as G-d rejoiced with His creation.” [What was G-d’s great joy in Creation? What is the connection between the joy and the Glory?] The ministering angel of the world exclaimed this verse at the moment when the Holy One, blessed be He, told the trees to bring forth seed specific to each species, [for] the grasses, on their own accord, made a Talmudic deduction. [They reasoned:] “If the Creator desires for all the species to be mixed together, then why would He command ‘seed for each species’ to the trees?! [Apparently, therefore, He wants them to preserve their integrity and not be interbred.] And further- the trees stand each one distinctly yet they were commanded to bring forth their own seed- [therefore] we, the grasses must even more so need [to bring forth] our own seeds.” Immediately each grass brought forth seed for its own species and the Minister Angel of the world proclaimed, “Let His Glory be Forever, as G-d rejoiced about His creation.” 13 ”
In this teaching, G-d’s glory is expressed by the Sages through the multitude of species, and their ability to procreate — to last “l’olam”- forever. The Sages saw G-d being joyous that the creations (in this case, the grasses) were seeking to continue their existence. It seems that the grasses recognized the effort invested in creating them and sought to preserve the unique character of their species. G-d rejoices when an element of creation understands and implements His will, in the same way as a parent rejoices upon seeing its child continue a path of goodness.
Jewish tradition teaches us that G-d considers the continuity of creation to be of importance. While of course species come and go, if by our actions we are directly causing the extinction of species, and certainly if human actions are as a group causing a mass extinction event at this time in history, we must pause to wonder if we are disrespecting the value of those creations in G-d’s plan – and perhaps destroying aspects of creation imbued with Divine wisdom and intention.
Today, our actions have started to threaten the well-being of many eco-systems and the species therein. We are surely having dominion; but are we fulfilling our job as stewards? In our actions, how well are we applying the Creator’s intention toward His Creation?
Biodiversity in Our Time
Ecologists have discovered the extent of interdependence within all the disparate elements of creation. Without the sun, water and microbes in our topsoil we would have nothing to eat. Without the vast acreage of rain forests converting carbon dioxide to oxygen we would have trouble breathing. Even the most minute of species sometimes plays a critical role in the concert of life. 14
Our sources allude to this incredible phenomenon every time we partake of this world — even after a simple drink of water. The after-blessing proclaims: “Blessed are You, Creator of many living beings and their lackings, for all you have created to sustain them — Blessed is the Life-Giver of all!” This blessing highlights the interdependence of all things.
Scientists define biodiversity as “all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms existing and interacting within an ecosystem.” 15 Species diversity in an ecosystem enhances its ability to adapt to change. Just as the success of a sport team depends on a variety of skills in each player to adapt and address various challenges, a diverse spectrum of plant and animal life in each bio-sphere is needed to flourish amidst natural changes.
Maintaining species biodiversity is a global challenge which requires a global partnership for meaningful results. To address this challenge, in 2002, the 193 nations signing onto the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity16 adopted a 2010 target to achieve “a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level, as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.” Later in 2002, this target was endorsed by world leaders at the World Summ