Why 'Old Growth'?

The term 'old growth' usually refers to ancient trees that survived the axes of so many lumberjacks and logging efforts. Here, I use it to refer to the traditional foodways and agricultural engagements of the Jewish people which have in large part been "axed" from our cultural narrative, but which are more pervasive in even our everyday ritual than most people realize.



In fact, I believe their restoration to our consciousness is essential to our national health as a people, and in some cases, is perhaps even required of us.



As Shlomo Hamelech wrote in Koheles 5:8 regarding the best path a person should follow: "The advantage of [agriculture] is supreme; even a king is indebted to the soil." Imagine if we held that truth as dearly as Shlomo Hamelech.



I don't claim to be an expert at anything. I will cite sources when possible and when I deem it necessary, but mostly I'm going to draw my own conclusions based on my experiences of life and my studies of the Jewish canon.

