Tikkun Olam
Leave No Trace and Jewish Wisdom
Context: Leave No Trace’s mission is to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. They have created 7 core principles to follow when visiting nature to help reduce the human impact on the natural world. In the words of Leave No Trace—no matter where or why you get outside, it’s yours to protect.
| Leave No Trace 7 Principles | Jewish Wisdom |
| Plan Ahead & Prepare · Adequate trip planning and preparation helps backcountry travelers accomplish trip goals safely and enjoyably, while simultaneously minimizing damage to the land. Poor planning often results in miserable campers and damage to natural and cultural resources. | All serious activity requires preparation. The prayers and blessings that precede Bar’chu are warm-ups for the individual. Now communal prayer begins. The leader ask, “Are you ready to pray?” And we respond, “Yes! Let us pray!” -Richard Levy בָּרְ֒כוּ אֶת ה’ הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ בָּרוּךְ ה’ הַמְּ֒בֹרָךְ לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד Praise Adonai to whom praise is due forever! Praised be Adonai to whom praise is due, now and forever! |
| Travel on Durable Surfaces · The goal of travel in the outdoors is to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land or waterways. Travel damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery. The resulting barren area leads to soil erosion and the development of undesirable trails. Travel on trails. | Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. (Job 37:14) One generation goes and another generation comes; but the Earth remains forever. (Ecclesiastes 1:4) |
| Dispose of Waste Properly · Leaving trash behind will undoubtedly affect other people, water, and wildlife. Any user of recreation lands has a responsibility to the land and must clean up before they leave. | When you besiege a city for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you shall not destroy its trees. You may eat from them, but you must not cut them down. (Deuteronomy 20:19) Our sages expanded this prohibition to include the careless destruction of trees at any time. If you should not cut down trees during the dire circumstances of war, then how much more so should trees be protected during times of peace. |
| Leave What Your Find · Leave areas as you found them. Avoid picking flowers, carving in trees, and moving rocks. You can disturb plants growth and animal habitat. | “God led Adam around all the trees of the Garden of Eden. And God said to Adam: ‘See My works, how good and praiseworthy they are? And all that I have created, I made for you. Be mindful then that you do not spoil and destroy My world—for if you spoil it, there is no one after you to repair it’” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 7:13) |
| Minimize Campfire Impacts · Create a fire that shows no evidence of having been constructed. Fires can degrade the natural area they are lit in. | Command Aaron and his sons thus: This is the ritual of the burnt offering: The burnt offering itself shall remain where it is burned upon the altar all night until morning, while the fire on the altar is kept going on it. (3) The priest shall dress in linen raiment, with linen breeches next to his body; and he shall take up the ashes to which the fire has reduced the burnt offering on the altar and place them beside the altar. (4) He shall then take off his vestments and put on other vestments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place. (Leviticus 6:2-4) |
| Respect Wildlife · Do not disturb wildlife or plants. Observe wildlife respectfully from a distance, don’t touch, feed, or pick up wild animals. | Who gives us more knowledge than the beasts of the earth, Makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?” ( Job 35:11) When a man has compassion on God’s creatures, compassion is shown from Heaven. But when a man has no compassion on God’s creatures, no compassion is shown from heaven. (Shabbat 151b) |
| Be Considerate of Others · One of the most important components of outdoor ethics is to maintain courtesy toward other visitors. | Ethics of the Fathers 2:15 Rabbi Eliezer says: Let other people’s dignity be as precious to you as your own. |
Guiding Questions:
- What similarities and difference do you see?
- How do you put these principles in conversation with one another?
- What principles stood out on to you during the hike and trail clean up?
- Are there any principles you would add?
- In what ways can you bring these texts to life?
