Ḥoni's Circle

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we we juxtapose two texts from Pirkei Avot and the Zohar about trees and Torah study. We discuss how these texts see the relationship between Torah study and appreciation of the natural world. Are they antagonistic, hierarchically ranked, or can we hold them both as a holistic system informing each other?  We also discuss the Mishnaic times as being a period of existential threat to Jewish culture, and the parallels we can draw about how we relate to our current existential threat of species extinction. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/452321

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we study a section of Maasechet Brachot where Ben Zoma enumerates all the steps that lead to a loaf of bread or a piece of clothing. We discuss how, implicit in this text, is a sense of gratitude for the entire community of artisans active in the process of providing our daily needs, and relate this to climate change by acknowledging that we need a community to provide for everyone and work for a livable world, but also that we should keep in mind our own work as fitting into the work that the entire community is doing to fight climate change. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/473940
*The book that Rabbi Rose mentioned in the episode was "Thanks a Thousand: A Gratitude Journey" By A.J. Jacobs. https://ajjacobs.com/book-category/thanks-a-thousand/ 

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we study side by side the descriptions of the Burning Bush and Mount Sinai at the giving of the Torah. We discuss how the fire in both circumstances cultivated attention and awe, but how in the case of Mount Sinai also cohered the people with a shared experience that was necessary for them to embark on the communal mission of nationhood, similarly to how large scale disasters have mobilized the global community to act on climate. We also touch on the idea of using  controlled burns to manage forests being represented by the Burning Bush. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/452657

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we study a section from Vayikrah in which Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron, are consumed by divine fire after bringing "strange fire" into the new tabernacle. We talk about this story from a few angles including the need for humility, how one conveys one's story being important to its acceptance, and how the disasters of climate change can feel like a mismatch to the small actions of our every day lives. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/452661

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we study a section from Dvarim (that also appears in the second paragraph of the daily Shema) about how in the land of Israel the weather and consequently agricultural yields depend on fidelity to G-d and the commandments. We talk about how this section has become meaningful in the context of climate change both for individual and communal responsibility, techno optimism and its doubters, and reaching for coping mechanisms when it comes to facing the enormity of global changes. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/417007?lang=bi

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we study the verse, shortly after the flood, that allows people to eat animals. Alongside the verse we read commentaries by Ḥizkuni and Breishit Rabbah that initially seem to contradict each other about the roles of humans and animals in creation. In the end, both commentaries are strong arguments for ecological and species preservation.
Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/417168?lang=bi

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle, we return to Ḥoni the Circle Maker, (our namesake), and another story in Mishna Ta'anit about the Talmudic Rip Van Winkle. We discuss what this story can tell us about living for future generations, appreciation of nature and the work of our ancestors, and the power of dreaming. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/417001?lang=bi

Sefaria Source Sheet for this episode: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/417006?lang=bi

Sefaria Source Sheet for this episode: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/417003?lang=bi