Is the Tree of the Field a Human?

Ḥoni's Circle

In this week's episode of Ḥoni's Circle we study a verse from Devarim (Deuteronomy 20:19) and the accompanying Rashi and Ibn Ezra commenting on the phrase "For is the tree of the field a man". This is the source text for bal tashchit, the rabbinic injunction against needless destruction or waste. We first look at the commentators' different readings of the verse, and how whether we view trees through a lense of difference or similarity, the commandment to not cut them down makes sense. We then go on to discuss the Torah's desire to protect long-term resources in the face of short-term needs, as well as the much wider benefit of large non-fruit bearing trees to our society. Rabbi Rose concludes by pointing out that one thing we need now, that wasn't imagined in the past, is the non-destruction of the environment. Follow along with the source sheet here: https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/474661