8. The Spiritual Roots of the Environmental Crisis

§ The Tosefta continues with a discussion of the sins of the Jewish people over the generations: Due to what reason was the First Temple destroyed? It was destroyed due to the fact that there were three matters that existed in the First Temple: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations, and bloodshed... However, considering that the people during the Second Temple period were engaged in Torah study, observance of mitzvot, and acts of kindness, and that they did not perform the sinful acts that were performed in the First Temple, why was the Second Temple destroyed? It was destroyed due to the fact that there was wanton hatred during that period. This comes to teach you that the sin of wanton hatred is equivalent to the three severe transgressions: Idol worship, forbidden sexual relations and bloodshed. The Gemara continues: They were wicked; however, they put their faith in the Holy One, Blessed be He. With that statement we have come to the First Temple era, about which it is written: “Her chiefs judge for bribes, her priests give rulings for a fee, and her prophets divine for pay; yet they rely on the Lord, saying: The Lord is in our midst, no tragedy will overtake us” (Micah 3:11). At least the final portion of the verse was to their credit. Therefore, the Holy One, Blessed be He, brought upon them three decrees corresponding to their three wicked sins, as it is stated: “Therefore, due to you Zion will be plowed as a field, Jerusalem will become heaps of ruins, and the Temple Mount will be a like a shrine in the woods” (Micah 3:12).

The Shechina [Divine Presence] was among them [the Jewish people in the time of] the First Temple. This was the spiritual level of the First Temple—that it was unique in its spiritual level in that the Shechina dwelled in it. Therefore its destruction occurred when it was not fitting for the Shechina to dwell among them, that is, when [the Jewish people] made the Temple impure, [since] G-d does not dwell amidst their impurity.”

Translated by the CN team, YEAR

§ Rav says: All the ends of days that were calculated passed, and the matter depends only upon repentance and good deeds....Rabbi Eliezer says: If the Jewish people repent they are redeemed, and if not they are not redeemed.

(5) All of the prophets commanded concerning repentance; Israel will not be redeemed save by repentance. Indeed, the Torah long since assured us that in the end, at the close of the period of exile Israel will turn to repentance and be momentarily redeemed, even as it is said: "And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessings and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt bethink thyself among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God had driven thee, and shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and hearken to His voice according to all that I commanded thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul; that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee" (Deut. 30.14).

Rebbi Meïr said: It is written, “the wise man’s eyes are in his head.” The stupid one’s are where? In his legs. Rebbi Abba Mari said, the wise man knows what will be the final outcome when he starts something.

Alexander said to the Elders: Who is truly worthy of being called wise? They said to him, citing a tradition (see Avot 2:9): Who is the wise person? The one who sees and anticipates the consequences of his behavior.

(8)...Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai had five disciples and they were these...(9) He [Rabban Yohanan] said unto them: go forth and observe which is the right way to which a man should cleave? Rabbi Eliezer said, a good eye; Rabbi Joshua said, a good companion; Rabbi Yose said, a good neighbor; Rabbi Shimon said, foresight. Rabbi Elazar said, a good heart.

(8) I am ever mindful of the LORD’s presence; He is at my right hand; I shall never be shaken.

(21) Rabbi Elazar Ha-kappar said: envy, lust and [the desire for] honor put a man out of the world.