Rule and Care for the World

G-d Created man in His "Image"; "male and female He Created them. G-d Blessed them and G-d Said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea, the bird of the sky, and every living thing that moves on the earth.'" (Genesis 1:27-28). And "Hashem Elohim Took the man and Placed him in the Garden of Eden, to work it and to guard it." (Genesis 2:15). After the world, with all its life, was Created, the focus shifted towards man and to his Role in the world Created for mankind; for man was Created like G-d on the earth. Existence is G-d's Gift to us, and the world is our prize. Therefore we must care for our life and all that is ours, that we might benefit from our dominion and be Blessed in our success. For any harm that is done is harmful to us, and all our contamination is a curse upon ourselves.

Conservation of Energy

The world was Created, and it is Maintained, with Balance and Order. The sun powers life on earth, and life is maintained with all the resources that Are Provided. Surely the sun is a limited source of energy, and surely the planet has a limited amount of resources. You can be certain these things will expire, as all things have their end. But they need not expire quickly, and we would be foolish to use up our life with the excessiveness of our desires. Just as you should not abuse your body beyond its ability to heal itself, so must we not use the earth beyond its ability to replenish itself. The balance of life is such that every resource is precious and all energy is preserved. Whatever energy is absorbed from the sun is used to fuel life, move water, heat the earth, and so power and shape our planet with an extremely precise Balance. Even that which is lost beyond the atmosphere is returned the same way, and our lives are Ordered within the cycle of all these occurrences. So great is our dependency upon Order and Balance, that even a slight perversion can be catastrophic. Therefore, although we are like G-d in our ability to perceive and manipulate order, it is imperative that we rule the world with as much care as is our desire for advantage. For inasmuch as we care for the world and all that is in it, such is our benefit in all that we merit.

Generating Electricity

To achieve order and balance, you must seek permanence and stability. Just as G-d Is One and there is only One Judgement for all; Justice is equal for all people and no individual is above his brother. This is a permanent structure, without fault; Perfect in consequence. So too must it be for our flesh, as it is for our spirits. Just as Israel is Commanded to safeguard the Land and not abuse or contaminate its soil, so too must we guard our resources and not contaminate the environment. Sources of energy that are limited and cannot be replenished, are a dead-end that lead only to decadence. But there are permanent forces at work in the world, which power our lives and can further power our undertakings. This is the energy of the sun, the force of water flow and waves, of wind and other such forces, all of which originate largely from space, gravitation, magnetism, and from the heat and light of the sun. Just as atomic forces have been tapped to generate tremendous amounts of power, although with a high level of contaminants, so too can atomic forces at work in the solar system (and even in galactic proportions) be used to generate an even greater yield of power, at a significantly reduced cost; both the cost of consumption and the burden upon our planet. These forces, like that of the sun, are relatively free and entirely for our benefit. While our dependence upon substance based fuels generates hazardous byproducts, natural forces, including natural processes, can be used to generate electricity as a clean, cheap, and nearly limitless source of power.

Urban Transportation (Getting Rid of Cars)

There is a problem of transportation, both of the cost upon the environment and the cost of time and life caused by congestion and accidents, and even the cost upon the consumer of the vehicle, fuel, and increase of interest; all of which are a burden upon the environment, society, and the economy. The cost to the environment, which has not been accounted for properly and is incurred freely, comes in the form of pollution, noise, and a drain of resources. The cost to society is that of traffic jams and loss of time and life, which cannot be overlooked, for the effects are great in all human factors. The cost upon the economy, as in all things dealing with economics, is hard to account for, since the automotive industry generates much revenue and provides many jobs, however it also incurs a high cost upon consumers which reduces the standard of living and is a drain of time, which is money. The solution to these problems demands an improved public transportation system, for all who lack one, and either the phasing out of cars or the improvement of automotive design. The benefit of trains, trolleys, subways, monorails, buses, and even bicycles is largely underestimated and even forcibly ignored as a result of special interest groups and bribery within public administrations. It should be noted that clean forms of public transportation can be cheaper for the consumer and thus more easily accessible to the public, as well as safer, faster, and more friendly; not to mention the benefit to the environment.

Inter-Urban Transportation

Likewise, inter-urban transportation can be increased, with all the benefits that apply, by an improved public transportation network. This includes the new class of clean and fast trains and buses. Nowhere is this benefit more evident than in Europe, where trade, tourism, and easy access for local commuters, has resulted in economic and social benefit, as well as a benefit for the environment. Such a network of trains and bus lines, which is offered to the public at a low cost with easy access throughout the country and even the region, connects towns and cities, bringing people together and giving the public more freedom. Truly this a boost to the economy and even to morale; increasing national identity and unity, by introducing people to the outlying scenery and communities, and all at a reduced cost to the environment, society, and the commuter, without the worry and hassle of driving.

The Nuclear Catastrophe

It is a frightful misconception to think you can stockpile weapons of mass destruction without risking a global catastrophe. In terms of tactical importance, such weapons only serve a defensive purpose, as a deterrence to similar attacks. However, weapons of mass destruction are as ineffective from a defensive perspective as they are on the assault. Attacking with such weapons causes (somewhat) irreversible damage to the land that would be conquered, thus rendering it worthless, and can also cause irreversible damage to the world, which is hazardous to all its inhabitants (especially in the case of biological warfare which could very well spread beyond control). And defending with such weapons is not a very defensive move, as it implies an attack or a retaliation, thus worsening the catastrophe; certainly not helping. For this reason, Israel's nuclear policy must be to never use nuclear weapons, or any weapons of mass destruction, except for retaliation to such an attack. Not even if Israel is faced with defeat, would a non-conventional attack be an option. It is better for Israel to be conquered and face certain death, than for Israel to be conquered and face certain death and also cause a global catastrophe as a consequence of its failures. The rule of Israel is for Blessing, not as a curse. If G-d would lead His people towards defeat, this would be enough of a curse upon the world; and history is a testament to this fact. Such weapons are not an option, should never be considered an option, and their threat must be buried beneath the pages of history.

Reducing Pollution

For all the world, pollution is a curse, and contamination is a perversion of G-d's Creations. Pollution must be reduced, and it must be further reduced to a negligible level, with all its remnant cleansed from the earth. If the world is to be Purified and mankind is to be Redeemed, then the cleansing of the world involves the removal of all contaminants, including environmental pollution and the adulteration of the lands. Where better to begin this cleansing than in the Land of Israel? The Holy Land is largely polluted. If Israel is to become a nation of G-d it must be cleansed from all its contamination, lest the Land reject its inhabitants. This is no small matter, for just as corruption brings decadence, so does filth bring decay, and both these things are a perversion before the Judge of Israel and a degradation of His people. If G-d is to Dwell Amongst His people, the Land must be cleaned.

Recycling

Naturally, all things are reused. Even the dust of people has been around since Creation, used over and over throughout the history of its existence. Your body might even contain the dust of Moses's flesh. This is natural and to be expected, for nothing goes to waste. The word "trash," and those garbage dumps that have emerged throughout the world, are like graves not properly dug and buried, and remains not properly laid to rest. Instead they accumulate and do not properly decompose, becoming a hazard and a waste, and something lost to the world. It is an ugly sight, a waste of land, and the lazy way out. All organic material decays and fertilizes the earth, precious stones and metal can be reused, paper can be recycled, even sewage water is naturally reclaimed and the waste is a part of the earth. Only synthetic materials like plastics do not properly decay. But once these problematic materials are singled out, they can be burned, formed for other uses, or reduced through special processes. There is no reason for garbage dumps, as there is no such thing as "garbage." What is "garbage" today, becomes valuable tomorrow, unless society is lazy and exposes of it the wrong way.

Saving Endangered Species

An "evolutionary" concept is that "only the fittest survive." The nazis thought they were the "fittest," and so everyone else must die. This is a falsehood, as diversity is extremely valuable to the world. Life is successful with a diverse set of traits, and the world flourishes with an abundant array of life. This is precious to mankind and must be guarded from harm. Who's to say what secrets lie in the many endangered lives? Secrets that must be treasured before they are lost in oblivion. If mankind is to fulfill the Word of G-d, in guarding the world with its many creatures, then protecting endangered species becomes a most important task. Some say these creatures are unfit to live if they cannot survive on their own. Perhaps this might be so, for if they cannot be protected then surely they will be lost. But who's to say an effort should not be made on their behalf, when even the most "fit" have been hunted out of existence by mankind? If we are not "fit" to care for G-d's Creations, then why should G-d be "Fit" to Care for us. Everyone knows the world is fragile and mankind could be Destroyed with a Word, just as swiftly as it was Brought into the world. If G-d's Creations are not important to us, then why should they be important to G-d, when the world was Created for mankind?

Maintaining Natural Habitats

In order to save endangered species, certain natural habitats must be guarded and preserved. Surely forests will be cut down and swamps dried up, but this must be done with precision rather than carelessness. It is a tragedy to see the world's resources being depleted without limits, and its natural habitats being destroyed with such recklessness. If only a remnant would be preserved, countless species would be saved and a great asset to the world would remain. There is no need to convert every parcel of land into farmland, for agriculture is not the only industry on earth. Each habitat offers its unique resources, some in the form of products and others as a necessity in the world order. For example, melting the polar ice caps would create a global catastrophe, drying up all swamps would cause inland flooding, and cutting the rainforests would transform a lush habitat into a desolate and somewhat empty land. It is all too easy to overlook the consequences, but each action has its effects, some being catastrophic in scope. Whoever has power must take responsibility for his actions, and man must rule with understanding, lest his rule become a curse.

Treating Animals Humanely

Most pets are the slaves of society; the zoos being a prison for the condemned. Animals too are like people, with spirits and all the needs of life. Just as an enslaved person is deprived of his rights, so too does a caged animal live a harsh life. If people cannot properly care for their pets, then they shouldn't have pets. If farmers and ranchers don't have adequate space for their livestock, they should raise less animals. Not only must these pitiful conditions be detestable to the animals, they also spread disease and befoul the land in their concentrations. For the cattle and chickens that are raised for butcher, their flesh becomes contaminated in filth and becomes a medical hazard for society; not to mention the loss of life amongst the livestock and the stench in the surrounding areas caused by this factor. And the milk and eggs that they produce are also of a lower quality, when they are not raised and cared for properly. In all factors, caring for animals and treating them properly is a benefit for humanity as much as it benefits the animals. As such, the Laws of G-d dealing with agriculture and livestock are a most useful Guide for mankind.