Why the limited attention given to climate change by our Torah leadership?
The Torah community follows, and is supposed to follow, the lead of its rabbinic leadership, but the issue of climate change has not registered strongly on the rabbinic radar. If it is indeed an area for significant concern, why has this not happened?
There are numerous factors that could account for why important broader social issues, like climate change, despite their importance, do not receive more serious rabbinic attention. For instance:
The predominant rabbinic focus on spiritual growth: Rabbinic leadership has tended to focus its efforts on Jewish spiritual survival and growth, significantly due to the precarious nature of our existence throughout history and until the modern age. Broader social issues, even important ones, tend to get pushed down the ladder of priorities, because they are not seen to be as urgent.
A poor fit with conventional halachic categories: Much of Jewish life centers on the observance of halacha (Jewish law), the texts of which deal with an individual’s or a community’s daily obligations. Many broad social issues do not find precedent in halachic literature and therefore do not translate naturally into existing halachic categories. It therefore takes a long time before these issues properly enter the rabbinic consciousness and are seen to be worthy of serious rabbinic thought. In the meantime, these issues are widely looked upon as not being ‘Torah-dik’ (Torah-related), but rather as secular matters, either to be dismissed or opposed.
Controversy and politicization: Like a number of social issues, climate change is controversial and has become highly politicized, with certain positions coming to be identified (often incorrectly) with a particular political leaning. This can make it uncomfortable for rabbinic leaders to discuss these issues and risk being thrust into controversy.
Complexity: Climate change, like many other social concerns, is an extremely complex issue, involving major scientific and sociological elements. Many rabbis would rightfully see themselves as unqualified to voice an opinion and do not have the time or energy to undertake the required level of study to become proficient in the issues.
For these and possibly additional reasons, we can certainly understand why many of our rabbinic leaders have tended to avoid engaging with climate change. Nevertheless, this tendency is starting to change and we are already seeing significant rabbinic leaders acknowledging the seriousness of climate change, something which we shall discuss further in the coming chapter.
