Environmental Protection and War

Deut 20:19-20 - Do not cut down the fruit bearing trees in battle.

The environmental impact of war can be devastating:

The Romans sewed the fields with salt, Napolean scorched the earth, WWI soldiers destroyed anything useful, WWII even the Germans destroyed the railroads, in Vietnam they burned foliage, Gulf War the oil wells were set on fire...

The "Scorched Earth" defense is difficult to understand. And Torah specifically forbids the destruction of fruit bearing trees in war.... so what does this mean?

There are different theories we explored:

1. Trees are not human and cannot attack you.
2. These trees can provide food for you after battle

There is the Anthro-centered view and the Utilitarian view -- both include aspects of an ideal moral code for war and for non-war times as well. "do not destroy nature that cannot hurt you and can help you." The Torah specified "fruit bearing trees" but it might be extended to all natural things that help us.

This becomes an even more complex issue as you explore the ramifications further. Think of the Rainforest that are being destroyed and how much damage is being done ecologically. Is this due to a war? Some may say so.

Why not destroy the trees - even in war?
To maintain bio-diversity and the beauty of nature
To regulate Global ecology
To maintain the resources for our future.

We will continue to study different vantage points on this issue.