Rabbi Yonatan Neril

Rabbi Yonatan Neril grew up in California and completed a BA and MA at Stanford University with a focus on global environmental issues. During his studies, he conducted research in India on renewable energy and in Mexico on genetically modified corn. In 2003 he came to Israel and studied at Yeshivat Darche Noam, Yeshivat Bat Ayin and Yeshivat Hamivtar, where he completed his rabbinic degree. For over four years he has consulted with the Jewish environmental organization, Canfei Nesharim, during which time he conceived of, edited, and was the lead contributor to the first environmental commentary on the weekly Torah portion, Eitz Chaim Hee. In a collaborative project of Canfei Nesharim and the Bureau of Jewish Education of San Francisco, he served as project manager for seminars on Jewish environmental teaching in the Bay Area, which reached Jewish educators of all denominations. He has also worked as Torah environmental content director for Jewcology, a new Jewish environmental web portal. Rabbi Neril was a Dorot Israel Fellow and developed Jewish Eco Seminars as a Fellow at the PresenTense Institute in the chair sponsored by the Jim Joseph Foundation. He lives with his wife, Shana, and son, Shacharya, in Jerusalem.

3:44

Water: Appreciating a Limited Resource (3:44)

Human beings depend on a sufficient supply of high quality fresh water for their survival. Because of this essential dependence, Jewish sources equate water with life. By recognizing our dependence on water, and ultimately our dependence on G-d, we can strengthen our appreciation and protection of our precious natural resources, and our relationship with the Creator of the world.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril (5)

Water: Appreciating a Limited Resource Rabbi Yonatan Neril
4:42

Holy Use: Relating to Resources Sustainably (4:42)

In this video, Rabbi Yonatan Neril argues that our forefathers have been reusing objects and elevating the physical for thousands of years, which is a path we must try to follow in today's disposable society. These materials are posted as part of Canfei Nesharim’s “Year of Jewish Learning on the Environment,” in partnership with Jewcology.com. Learn more at www

Rabbi Yonatan Neril (5)

Holy Use: Relating to Resources Sustainably Rabbi Yonatan Neril
4:00

Noah and the Flood (4:00)

In this video, Rabbi Yonatan Neril speaks about the ancient story of Noah and the flood, connecting it to many ecological issues facing the modern world. These materials are posted as part of Canfei Nesharim’s “Year of Jewish Learning on the Environment,” in partnership with Jewcology.com. Learn more at http://www.canfeinesharim.org/learning. .

Rabbi Yonatan Neril (5)

Noah and the Flood Rabbi Yonatan Neril
4:31

Bal Tashchit: Summoning the Will Not to Waste (4:31)

The commandment of Bal Tashchit-- do not destroy or waste-- has long been considered central to a Jewish environmental ethic. Indeed, Rabbi Norman Lamm understands it to be “the biblical norm which most directly addresses itself to the ecological situation

Rabbi Yonatan Neril (5)

Bal Tashchit: Summoning the Will Not to Waste Rabbi Yonatan Neril

4:30

Planting, Protecting, and Using Trees Wisely (4:30)

These materials are posted as part of Canfei Nesharim’s “Year of Jewish Learning on the Environment,” in partnership with Jewcology. Learn more at www.canfeinesharim.org/learning.

Rabbi Yonatan Neril (5)

Planting, Protecting, and Using Trees Wisely Rabbi Yonatan Neril

Rabbi Yonatan Neril

Water: Appreciating a Limited Resource (3:44)

Holy Use: Relating to Resources Sustainably (4:42)

Noah and the Flood (4:00)

Bal Tashchit: Summoning the Will Not to Waste (4:31)

Planting, Protecting, and Using Trees Wisely (4:30)