The Spiritual Gardener: Insights from the Jewish Tradition to Help Your Garden Grow by Andy Becker; Tree of the Field Publishing, $19.95.
By Robin Dishman
SAN DIEGO — The Spiritual Gardener is a joyful easy read. Author Becker writes as a veteran gardener whose insights into the Jewish spiritual aspects of gardening are enlightening.
He starts each chapter with an excerpt from the Bible or a quote from a famous Jewish thinker. He starts the book with Gan Eden and relates it to taking action, starting a garden. He cites Genesis 2:15- “Now the Lord G-d took man, and He placed him in the Garden of Eden to work it and preserve it.”
Becker writes, “We are overstimulated in our society. Even if we possess all the material necessities of life, we may still suffer a longing. We can find tranquility in the garden; we nurture and honor the miracle of creation.”
He breaks down the simple tasks of planting and growing a garden into chapters. Each chapter reflects a particular Jewish value or thought. For instance, weeds and weeding teach us humility and afford us alone time. The author reviews that weeds will always be there and we must pull them, but also accept them as part of maintaining a garden. Just as in life we must work through hurdles. He also takes a chapter to explain how he has overcome the, “creepy ick” factor he felt when encountering insects and worms.
Becker also touches on relationships and how gardening gives produce which then needs to chopped, cooked, made into jam and/or given away. He reviews how partners are usually involved in gardening and share the tasks that come along with the produce.
Becker discusses the wisdom that comes with gardening year after year. One must know which crop does best at which time of the year and if the crop prefers a sunny or shady location. He lives in the state of Washington so his growing season is limited by having 4 seasons, but his wisdom is applicable to all climates.
The author communicates a reverence for G-d and the soil and produce which enrich our lives and diets. There is a story about a tree in his yard which was a playground, home to many birds, a source of fragrance and beauty as well as shade for his home. “The tree was at its most majestic and beneficent in its old age.” Considering when the old tree needs to be cut down, he writes, “As we age…our souls do not retire. It may hurt our arthritic necks a little more …but we know what, where and when to plant: we know how to grow our garden better and better each year. Our souls yearn for relevance.”
The last chapter is an essay about gardening’s abundance. Becker postulates that if there were more gardens people would go outside and talk with their neighbors and donate food to food banks. He also points out that when involved in gardening we tend to become absorbed in the tasks and forget our resentments and anger.
This reader completely related to this book. Gardening is one of my joyful and peaceful times when the power of G-d and the beauty of life and creation are affirmed.
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Robin Dishman is a freelance writer based in San Diego.