Repairing the World Through Social Action

The concept of tikkun olam, or repairing the world through social action, is one of the traditional categories of tzedakah (righteousness and justice). The word "tikkun" first appears in the book of Ecclesiastes (1:5; 7:13; 12:9), and it translates as "setting straight" or "setting in order." The most notable early rabbinic source for the phrase tikkun olam is the Aleinu prayer, where the phrase expresses the hope of repairing the world through the establishment of the kingdom of God.

The obligation to repair the world emerges from various Jewish sources. Some, including many of the ancient prophets, see the obligation as originating primarily from the commandment to emulate God's holiness, for, in their view, God is the model for human righteousness. Other people see the obligation to engage in social action as arising chiefly from the Jews' historical position as an oppressed people. Still others believe that engaging in acts of tikkun olam is the primary means of satisfying the need to create a sense of Jewish community and identity. From this perspective the commitment to tikkun olam is a calling, a vocation, and it is unlikely that the Jews could survive, except as a community organized around values and committed to tikkun olam.3 Tikkun olam is central to Judaism.

With what follows below, you will see that many people are involved in Tikkun all over the world in numerous and inventive ways. The call to social action is also a call to environmental action. The two are related entities. In fact, one cannot exist without the other. After all, it’s not the world that needs repair, it is how we relate to the world that needs repair, and that is the central tenet of Tikkun. So, enjoy this article and may it inspire you in this or any other action of tikkun.
        -Joshua Ben-Arie, Fall '99, Spring '00, '01,

Transform our blandscape by sowing the seeds of a green revolution. By Carly Stasko

Our cities are a sad sight—buried rivers and dead forests encased in cement straitjackets. More parking lots than parks. Weeds sprayed with chemicals. Trees tangled in Christmas lights and caged behind steel bars. Locally and globally, nature is becoming more controlled and corporatized while public green spaces are shrinking. What can you do?

Why not become a guerrilla gardener and reclaim your environment? While you’re out sowing the seeds of revolution, you can talk to curious strangers about what inspired you to take action. You can point to the cityscape around you and ask, "Does it have to be like this?" You can show them your seeds. Did I mention that it’s fun and cheap?

All you need is:
• seeds
• soil
• small shovel
• watering can
• used packaging from your neighborhood recycling bins
• some friends (makes it more fun, and safer too)
• creativity

Here's what you do:

Walk around and look for good places to plant. Abandoned property, construction sites, parking lots, and traffic medians are just a few places where you might find some soil or cracked pavement to plant in. Part of the fun is finding interesting places to garden.

Plant all kinds of seeds: flowers, vegetables, whatever. If you grow annuals early enough, they will flower in the summer, and some will even seed themselves next year. Perennials tend to be more expensive and take a few years to bloom. The simplest trick is to throw wildflower seeds around and hope for the best. This will often work if the area gets little traffic and lots of sun. I use sunflower seeds because they thrive in poor-to-average soil and they require very little water (plus they are a symbol of resistance and creativity).

Start planting in early spring, after the last thaw, although some seeds can be planted throughout the summer. Plant tulip and daffodil bulbs in the fall. Check seed packages for exact instructions.

To increase the odds that your plants will survive the stresses of urban life, sprout them at home and let them grow for four to eight weeks before you plant them outside. Here’s how:

First, find or make yourself a tray. Plastic take-out containers work well (look in recycling boxes). Punch a few holes in the bottom and fill it with three or four inches of soil. Seeds love moist, drained soil, not mud. Space your seeds according to the directions on the package. If you’re using a clear take-out container, close the lid to keep the moisture and heat in. Plastic wrap works as a cover too, but it has to be elevated above the soil so that the seeds won’t suffocate or rot.

Place your tray inside another, unpunctured container, and irrigate by pouring water into the outer tray.

Set your plantings next to a sunny window. The top of your computer terminal is the perfect temperature for sprouting seeds quickly.

Check your seeds regularly and remove the cover as soon as shoots appear. With sunflowers, the first leaves are part of the seed case. When more leaves develop, you can separate your sprouts into larger containers. Make little depressions in the soil, about two inches deep, and gently place the seedlings in them. Be kind to the roots. For instructions on how to make your own "quick rot guerrilla pots" and much more, check out www.primalseeds.org/gpots.htm.

Keep the seedlings moist (not wet) and water from below as before. After a couple more weeks (not too long or they’ll get cramped) they’ll be ready to beautify the urban blandscape.

To protect your seedlings from animals and the elements for the first few days outside, cut the tops and bottoms off milk jugs and place them over your seedlings.

Guerrilla gardening is like graffiti with nature, except it is prettier and easier to undo. If you don’t have permission to plant, it is technically illegal. But so is having milk crates in your house, so the trick is not to get caught. When you go out planting, bring a friend or two (not too many) and be prepared to talk to strangers. People will ask what you’re doing and why. I made a little zine explaining guerrilla gardening to hand out, but you can always just smile and remain mysterious. Either way, raise a green fist and sprout into action.

From This Magazine (March/April 2001). Subscriptions: $35/yr. (6 issues) from 401 Richmond St. W. #396, Toronto, ON M5V 3A8

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