Few passages in the Talmud, if any, support action in favor of the survival of our planet as directly as the one studied around the world in the Daf Yomi the day before the Ninth of Av this year.
On page 30a, the Talmud observes “Hakol b’yeday shamayim chutz mitzneeneem pacheem, All is in the hands of Heaven except cold and heat.” The more traditional interpretation we will get to below, but the literal translation would seem to indicate that human beings have the opportunity, if not the obligation, to save the planet from climate change. Scientists warned a few decades ago of low temperatures causing humanity to freeze to death; then more recently to be deprived of life because of extreme heat; and most recently and contemporaneously we are concerned with climate change of various complexities, with all the nuances and predictions of gloom and doom if we fail to act “immediately, if not sooner.”
Act we must, but the question is how. We cannot afford to act blindly. We must act fast, but in the right direction. The solution is in our hands; God gave us hands to carry out plans, but minds, rabbis, scientists, economists and others to guide us. Before we act fast to solve the climate change problem, we must first pose and answer some fundamental questions. The writer doesn’t claim to know the answers, but will pose questions to enable us to follow the guidance of the Talmud to take matters into our own hands and deal with the existential issues of cold and heat.
What is the most efficient way to transport fossil fuel until we get enough renewable energy? A pipeline with a contiguous neighbor? Trans-oceanic ships—plus trucks on two continents? Add personnel and machinery to load and unload the trucks. Which country has more regulations to ensure the cleanest forms and production of energy? Russia? Saudi Arabia? Iran? The U.S.? Is fossil fuel needed to generate electricity for electric cars? If so, how much? Can our electric grid handle the additional electricity needed to power millions of electric cars until the grid can be further enlarged and protected, and until clean energy will be more readily available? How can this be achieved? Is mining needed for the ingredients of mega-batteries in electric cars and solar panels? If so, to what effect? Are there adequate supplies for all the components? In what countries? Enemy or ally? Potential enemy or current ally? If available, how will the batteries be stored, once no longer useful? Can we be as energy independent with electric cars as we were with fossil fuels?
We can dig by using our God-given hands to operate machinery, but we can also dig by using our God-given brains and our God-given fingers to press keys on computers to ascertain what may be good in the short term; what may sound good on the surface but could be counterproductive; and what must be done to actually help save our planet.
Now, back to the passage in the Talmud that got us started:
“Cold and heat are [causes of harm] in the hands of man [and woman].” The traditional interpretation has been that if we feel chilled or feverish, the solution is often in our hands. We can preemptively dress warmly to fend off the cold. We can consume chicken soup and more sophisticated remedies, not to mention vaccines—actually, definitely to mention vaccines—to prevent, treat, and/or to fight off illnesses, and of course consult physicians. Faced with covid, as everyone on the planet is right now, directly or indirectly, it is in our hands to protect ourselves and fend off the illness in all its current and future variations. Again, we have to ask the right questions, and again, experts across the political spectrum can draw support from the Talmud’s encouragement that the solution is in our hands. We have vaccines, though not as effective as originally anticipated in stopping the spread, and we have therapeutics, though not as effective as originally touted in preventing and treating the condition. There are side effects to covid as well as to vaccines. There is also disinformation getting in the way of solutions. Experts and ordinary people across the political spectrum must constantly educate and re-educate themselves and each other. We all have the same goals.
We began with the quote of “All is in the hands of Heaven except cold and heat.” Actually, the more famous expression from the Talmud (Brachot 33b) beginning the same way is “Hakol b’yeday Shamayim chutz m’yirat Shamayim, All is in the hands of Heaven [God)] except for the fear of Heaven [(God)].” God makes all the big decisions, but we down here on earth have the free choice to fear—and adhere to—God, or not. We must not just fear Heaven, but also what emanates from the heavens—the sun, the wind and other elements—and we must channel them to combat climate change with solar power, wind power and other approaches, including the most efficient use of fossil fuels until new techniques can approach their potential on the scale needed. We must explore the ways and means to most effectively manage and channel the flow of fuel in our economies and the flow of blood in our veins.
Casting aside political and social differences, but channeling our diversity to our advantage, we must interact with each other, listen to each other and educate each other. We must root out disinformation and we must unite behind the truth. We cannot afford to wait for the Mashiach to do our part. At a time when we recently emerged from Tisha B’Av and savor a united Jerusalem under Israeli control, we can continue to strive for and to be worthy of a rebuilt Beit Hamikdash and a consensus on the most effective ways and means to combat climate change, covid and the other existential challenges facing humanity, which would make the world a better place for all of us and a more receptive residence for the Mashiach.
Rabbi Aaron I. Reichel, Esq., writes, edits, and/or supplements books on leaders who have asked many of the right questions, come up with inspiring and useful answers, and acted upon them – and encouraged others to do the same — for the betterment of their fellow Jews and, in many cases, non-Jews as well.
