The episode of Bilaam and his talking donkey is considered one of the more humorous tales in Tanach, our Hebrew bible. (The scroll of Esther is also in the top ten.)

Balak, king of Moav, is concerned about the mass of militarily-successful Israelites heading his way. He entreats a known seer, Bil’am, to “put a curse upon this people…as they are too numerous for me; perhaps I can defeat them and drive them out….” Bil’am has a relationship with Adonai our God, who eventually allows Bil’am to accept the commission, on condition that he say only what Adonai “puts in [his] mouth.”

Bil’am saddles and mounts his trusty ass and goes on his way. Adonai, perhaps feeling that Bil’am should have demurred, is peeved and blocks their path with an angel — with drawn sword, no less!. The angel is visible to the animal, but not to Bil’am.

The animal swerves to avoid the angel three times, finally hurting Bil’am in the process; angry and oblivious, Bil’am beats her with his stick. Adonai opens the animal’s mouth, and Bil’am hears this from the creature: “What?! What have I done to you that you beat me?!”

[Laughter] This is considered biblical humor. Really. But then, think about some of the more annoying, whiny Jewish characters in sitcoms: anybody else hear Seinfeld and his ilk? Torah inspiring TV?

Often, there is truth in humor, and the talking animal is no joke. The mistreated “dumb” animal is given a voice after trying to save her unseeing master from danger. We could go in several directions with that metaphor; for today, I’ve chosen how we treat the earth, or, rather, mistreat the earth.

Nowadays, we have the equipment and the lived experience to see, to know, what we have done and are still doing. Not having words, extreme weather of all types is language the earth uses to demand: “What are you doing to me?!”

Below are seven of the myriad environment-focused organizations worthy of attention and support; please join/donate at will. To access a web site, click on the name of the organization.

Thank you!

1. Environmental Defense Fund Wide-ranging, working to provide solutions under the broad categories of climate change, oceans, wildlife and habitats, and health. Works with other organizations, businesses, government, and communities to create incentives for positive environmental actions; influence policy; and keep tabs on emerging issues. Top Programs: Climate and energy, oceans, ecosystems. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 79.1. Charity Navigator Score: 94.48

2. The Nature Conservancy Protects ecologically important lands and waters around the world with the help of more than 500 staff scientists. Top Programs: Climate change, fire, fresh water, forests, invasive species, and marine ecosystems. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 71.2. Charity Navigator Score: 84.35

3. Natural Resources Defense Council Seeks to protect the basics—air, land, and water—and to defend endangered natural places, studying how long-term decisions affect humans. Top Programs: Climate, land, wildlife, water, oceans, energy, food, sustainable communities. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 83.6. Charity Navigator Score: 96.35

4. American Rivers Protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers and the wildlife they support, conserves clean water. Top Programs: River restoration, federal river management, clean water supply. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 74.9. Charity Navigator Score: 88.18

5. Trust For Public Land Creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Works to ensure that everyone has access to nature within a 10-minute walk from home. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 84. Charity Navigator Score: Not yet rated by CN, but given an A from Charity Watch.

6. Sierra Club Foundation Fiscal sponsor of the Sierra Club’s charitable environmental programs; promotes efforts to educate and empower people to protect and improve the natural and human environment. Top Programs: Beyond Coal, Chapter and Group Education Project, Our Wild America. Percent of expenses spent on programs: 88.5. Charity Navigator Score: 94.08

7. Dayenu Works to secure a just, livable and sustainable world for all people by building a multi-generational Jewish movement that confronts the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action.

Shabbat shalom ! שבת שלום