Connecting to ancient Jewish agriculture
Two young charismatic community farmers remind us that Jews were once an indigenous agrarian society with sustainable food system
Did you ever think that such basic Jewish charity idea as Tzedaka is based in Jewish agricultural tithing system?
Nati Passow and Jakir Manela help us rediscover our tradition in a fascinating way, connecting us to the roots of our ancient agricultural laws.
A great part of what we know as our Jewish law and tradition today has its root in our agricultural heritage. Shalosh Regalim holidays were originally agricultural festivals and harvest times, our calendar was agricultural and taking care of the poor was based on the harvesting laws which mandated us not to keep the harvest to ourselves only.
Once upon the time, being an indigenous agrarian society, we had an ancient food system, which was inherently sustainable and just. A Jewish farmer at the onset of our history was tithing 10 % of his produce, leaving the corner of the field. He left the gleanings for the poor to come, and allowed the idea of forgotten crops.
Shmita, another agricultural concept, is a cornerstone of the social justice base of our tradition. In these ancient times we acted as environmental stewards of the land responsible for sharing harvest in the equitable way.
One may say that the secret of sustainability and continuum of Jewish people are in these social justice laws. Today, striving for a better future for our children, it would help to recall and apply some of these traditions.
Eating fruit straight from its root
Today, when everyone is plugged into their personal electronic device we forget what it is to eat a fruit straight from its root. Adding to it the 2,000 years of Jewish exile from our land will annul it as a Jewish experience all together.
Nati and Jakir are young charismatic Jewish community farmers, who remind us that once Jews were an indigenous agrarian society with a sustainable food system and that the roots of social and economical justice and responsibility in Judaism are in Jewish ancient agriculture.
The two are on the mission of building a food system rooted in justice and Jewish traditions. Nati is a cofounder and executive director of the Jewish Farm School and Jakir is a founding director at Kayam Farm.
Over 3,500 participants every year help them to use environment, nature and food as the avenue to create a Jewish farm community which is the model for a larger sustainable community in a very holistic way.
Reprinted with permission from Leadel.Net
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