In Parshat Bereshit, Hashem creates the universe. He commands us to “subdue” the land. How exactly should that directive manifest? Additionally, how are we to reconcile this mandate with that of perek bet in which Hashem tells us to “guard” the land? How can we have both of these relationships with the land? Is there a balance that Hashem wants us to strike?

In this week’s Parsha, Yaakov gives blessings to the shevatim specific to their territory in Eretz Yisra’el. The berachot reveal a personal role in food preparation for the inhabitants of Israel. Is this notion an ideal we should strive for? How so? What is our current relationship with our food sources? There are ways to produce our food that are more humane, are more energy-efficient, and that facilitate a greater understanding our where we get our food.