Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
In a noteworthy moment of spiritual observance, Lee Zeldin, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) first Jewish administrator, publicly affixed a mezuza to his office door, sparking discussion about faith, environmental policy, and Jewish values.
EPA Administrator Affixes Mezuza, Prompting Reflection and Debate
Lee Zeldin, the pioneering Jewish administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), marked a moment of spiritual contemplation at the agency’s headquarters. On Thursday, he affixed a mezuza—a parchment scroll containing Jewish prayers encased in a protective case—to the doorframe of his executive office on Pennsylvania Avenue.
A Public Display of Faith
Zeldin, whose ancestry includes rabbis, openly invited the media to share what he described as “a moment to take a break from their normal routine, and to reflect and think about some other spiritual aspects of their day and their life.” The ceremony was attended by Trump administration officials and representatives from Jewish organizations. A rabbi placed a second mezuza on another doorframe within the office suite.
The Significance of the Mezuza
A mezuza contains verses from the Torah, which mandates the inscription of Hebrew words “on the doorposts of your house.” While not obligatory in a workplace, mezuzas are increasingly present in Washington, D.C., including the offices of several members of Congress. During the Biden administration, Doug Emhoff, the spouse of former Vice President Kamala Harris, also affixed one to their official residence.
Environmental Concerns Clash with Religious Observance
Although many Jewish leaders applauded Zeldin for his public expression of faith, Jewish environmental activists raised questions about his decisions regarding environmental regulations. They emphasized that Zeldin’s policy decisions contradict the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, the obligation to repair the world.
Divergent Interpretations of Jewish Values
As head of the EPA, Zeldin is executing a significant transformation of the agency. His initiatives include reducing staffing to levels comparable to the Reagan administration and working to weaken or eliminate over 30 regulations deemed burdensome by oil, gas, and coal companies—regulations designed to safeguard air, water, and the climate.
These regulations encompass limits on greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and power plants, restrictions on mercury (a neurotoxin affecting infant and child development), and controls on fine particulate matter, a prevalent and lethal form of air pollution. Zeldin maintains that deregulation would reduce costs for Americans regarding homeownership, vehicle purchases, and business operations.
Points of Contention
- Rabbi Jennie Rosenn: “His repealing dozens of environmental protections is an assault on Jewish values, and I would even say a desecration of Jewish values.”
Balancing Faith and Environmental Stewardship
Various Jewish traditions offer differing interpretations of environmental protection. However, a shared belief, echoing other faiths, is that humans are stewards of God’s creation.
Environmental Texts Inscribed During the Ceremony
In addition to the mezuza installation, a rabbi inscribed Hebrew passages from Genesis and Deuteronomy concerning the environment onto parchment, to be included in a new Torah being created in Washington. Noteworthy passages included the commandment to “work and guard” the Earth and the saying, “Do not destroy its trees, for man is like a tree in the field.”
Concerns from Religious Leaders
- Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner: Expressed concern over Zeldin’s actions as EPA administrator, emphasizing that governmental powers could be used to protect the planet or prioritize corporate interests at the planet’s expense.
He added, “Our hope for Administrator Zeldin is that as he refines the regulations, that they will be grounded in the same values of not only Jewish tradition but other faith traditions that love this Earth that God gave us.”
Defenses and Dissents
Zeldin addressed the criticisms by distinguishing between his faith and policymaking. “I am not going to start analyzing the decisions we have to make inside of this building based off various interpretations of everyone’s religion across this country,” he said. “It’s based off the law, and our obligations, and the merits and the science.”
Arguments in Support of Zeldin’s Actions
- Alex Brill: “To the extent Zeldin is saying we need smart regulations or need to make sure the economy is growing while we also protect the air and water, that’s not inconsistent with Jewish values.”
Brill, advocating for a carbon price, added, “We need to protect our environment and we need to protect our economy.”
Dissenting Voices
- Rep. Randy Fine: Dismissed criticism from Jewish environmental leaders. “Look, I think there’s a lot of people who use Jewish values very conveniently,” he stated, adding support for President Trump’s mandate.
- Herb Leventer: Voiced concerns over the public nature of the religious display in a political context, calling it inappropriate.
Zeldin’s Religious Background
Zeldin’s lineage includes prominent rabbis, such as his great-grandfather, Moshe Efraim Zeldin, an Orthodox rabbi and Zionist leader, and his great-uncle, Rabbi Isaiah Zeldin, who founded the Stephen Wise Temple in Los Angeles. His grandfather, Rabbi Abraham Jacob Zeldin, established the Farmingdale Jewish Center on Long Island.
At the EPA ceremony, Rabbi Levi Shemtov, the executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch (Chabad), remarked that Zeldin’s great-grandfather “couldn’t imagine in his wildest dreams that this would be happening here.”