Kolot
Jewish voices from campus
As the years go by and we are haunted with the threats of global warming, the depleting ozone layer, and the gradual depleting of our natural resources, many of us have become more aware of how to be environmentally conscious.
In Judaism, this concept has also been an issue. Many people participate in what’s called a sustainable Shabbat,or more accurately, an environmentally-sustainable Shabbat. This essentially represents a healthier, cleaner, and more environmentally-friendly day of rest.
Many of the ways families have refined these sustainable Shabbat practices can also be attuned to daily life; therefore accomplishing not only an environmentally sustainable Shabbat, but a sustainable lifestyle. There are many ways in which this can be achieved.
For starters, you can use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent. Fluorescent lights use less energy and are also more cost effective.
Another way to conserve electricity is to use Shabbat timers. If you are shomer Shabbat (Sabbath observant), these are used on Shabbat in order to turn the electricity on and off automatically, without violating the laws of Shabbat. They can also be used all year round to alleviate the risk of leaving lights on when not needed, and wasting other forms of energy throughout the house.
You could go the extra step, and rely solely on natural light to light the home during the day, and using artificial lighting only at night when needed.
Another way to conserve energy during Shabbat and other times could be to use crock pots or hot plates to keep food warm instead of leaving the oven on, which wastes an immense amount of energy.
Other environmentally-friendly ideas include using paper and plastic products with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled material, instead of non-biodegradable Styrofoam.
Those who keep a strict kosher Shabbat rely on using paper products that can be disposed of, instead of their regular everyday dishes and silverware. Using products that are healthier for the environment, on Shabbat and every other day, is never a bad idea.
In addition, to avoid extra waste, fabric napkins and table clothes can be used, since they can be washed and reused as needed.
To avoid an excess of exhaust and fumes let out into the air, you could also try walking more places on a regular basis instead of simply on Shabbat, if you follow those laws.
A final possibility of having a healthier Shabbat and lifestyle would be to buy local and organic fruits and vegetables, or possibly even growing your own, if you are lucky enough to be equipped with a functional garden in your backyard.
All of these ideas, along with many other possibilities, will help you to have an environmentally sustainable Shabbat, and even lifestyle if you so choose.
As a main concept of Judaism lies in that of Tikkun Olam, the repairing of the world, every little step we take can help in the process.
Lydia Roussos is a freshman at Marquette University. Leah Blankenship is a senior at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
On April 20, Hillel Foundation-Milwaukee hosted an Eco-Shabbat dinner, featuring organic food, recycled paper products and a talk about sustainable living.
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