4th March 2025 Bulletin Eco-Corner

Passover is fast approaching, and Orthodox Jews may be kashering their kitchens and houses to clear out all the chametz.  Popular advice is to use this time as a chance to do some spring cleaning, but a recent missive from the good folk at Eco-Judaism made your Eco Corner wonder whether a good clear out doesn't perhaps clash with the mitzvah or commandment of Bal Tashchit – “do not waste or destroy”?  
 
Bal Tashchit is typically understood to be a proscription of wastefulness and unsustainability: throwing out perfectly good food, for instance, would transgress the mitzvah.  We would be curious to know the judgement of an Eco-Talmud on how to reconcile the two, but if Eco Corner may be allowed to pose as Amoraim, we would advise following the sustainability mantra of reduce, reuse and recycle. Perhaps your chametz is compostable? Whatever your approach, Eco Corner wishes you a gut yontif!