The Gemara Goes Green: Recent Episodes
Davi Frank
Are you currently learning Msechet Taanit for the Daf Yomi cycle? Are you interested in thinking about how this Msechet can have practical ramifications in the modern world? This podcast will go through a few ideas discussed on each daf and apply them to the climate crisis currently destroying our planet. Obviously, the writers of the gemara did not have the modern climate crisis in mind when they wrote this msechet, but Taanit is all about how to react--both practically and spiritually--when the environment is not behaving the way we humans would like it to. Tizku L'Mitzvot!
How can we adapt our lifestyles to the changing nature of the sun’s effect on our lifestyles? How can we effectively manifest the divinity in this world in order to one day be zoche to live in a crisis-free world?
Mazal Tov to kol Halomdim! Hadran Alach VHadrach Alan!
Hadran translation:
https://www.sefaria.org/Hadran?lang=bi
Translation of section starting with “margela bepumeihu drabanan dyavneh…”:
https://www.sefaria.org/Berakhot.17a.8?vhe=William_Davidson_Edition_-_Vocalized_Aramaic&lang=bi
How can we effectively transition our lifestyles to be more environmentally friendly? Why is education critical in the effort to save the environment?
How can we turn this period of tragedy into one of celebration? How can we make sure not to be fixated on doom and make sure to stay focused on acting to save the world?
How can we raise collective awareness of the issues at play in the climate crisis? How can our individual actions lead to broader societal trends and further legal change?
How can preventing food waste both help feed the hungry and simultaneously help the planet? How can we make sure in our time the work we are doing will prevent the destruction of the world?
Why isn’t aiming to improve the environment satisfactory? Why must we be present for the journey of improving the environment? How can we turn the minhag of living environmentally into a societal halakha?
How can we make sure to not lose hope yet simultaneously not rely on miracles? Why can’t we rely on planet B?
How can seemingly poor decisions by leaders teach us something about ourselves? How can education for all ends of society allow for further environmental progress?
How can we bring others into our light effectively? How can we be active in our pursuit to live the world a little better than we found it?
How can we embrace our individual roles to create expansive change? How can tackling the climate crisis simultaneously allow us to embrace peace?
How can we listen to the inner voice to achieve missions which we may be unqualified to carry out? How can we act with urgency and not miss the opportunity to heal the planet before we get hurt ourselves? How can we give back and honor the world and shift from the mindset of being honored through the world?
How can we affect our focus on Divinity and nature during the climate crisis? How can we understand that individual purchases and product use affects long-term success?
How must we account for all people and places affected by the climate crisis? What can we do to ensure that our policymakers don’t stop at a resolution which falls short of solving all issues at play?
How can we embrace the mindset of a constantly changing universe when it comes to the climate crisis? Why must we immediately respond to identified environmental turmoil?
How can we challenge the exalted values of our society? How can we anticipate environmental redemption through our current actions?
How can we connect the verbal and physical in our pursuit for change? Why must education be a critical element of change?
How can we make living green more practical for all ends of the socioeconomic spectrum? How can we make sure to be completely committed to contributing to environmental success?
How can we make more of an emphasis to reach out and help others during the climate crisis? How can we make sure we are completely committed to helping the environment and cut down on non-essential items?
How can we as privileged humans empathize with the suffering brought about by the climate crisis? How can we make sure we are more salvation-driven than individually driven?
Why must we act now and not push off environmental activism for the next generation? How can we make sure our actions aren't only enabling change but are designated for change?
What does it mean to change as a collective? How can we maintain the perspective that our small efforts make a difference and are not simply marginal in the grand scheme of things?
How can we prioritize helping ecosystems in danger above the betterment of the general environment of planet Earth? How can we be more like the yechidin within the larger tzibbur?
Why must we remain active in our pursuit to end the climate crisis? How can the actions of an individual affect the border world?
What is the importance of following up with our commitments to live a green lifestyle? How can we learn to be patient to more effectively save the planet?
How can we make sure our "rain" gets delivered? What can we learn from a large discussion about talmidei chachamin and talmud torah?
What can we do to make sure all of the natural forces are working together to allow our environment to succeed? How can we make sure our active practices which help the environment succeed do not simultaneously lead to its demise?
What does it mean to listen to the Nevi'im of our time? What blessings can we relay to the future generation?
What does it mean to be hard as iron in our decisions? How do we effectively bring both sides to a negotiation table?
What can our priorities in prayer teach us about our modern priorities? Which resources in our world are critical for its survival?
What is the difference between remembering and requesting? What does gvurot hagshamim and how does it relate to the source of environmental change?