Presentation: “Scrittura e natura”

Presentation of Massimiliano Boni‘s latest book, *Scrittura e natura – Alberi, piante, uomini e donne nella Torah* (Scripture and Nature: Trees, Plants, Men, and Women in the Torah), together with Roberto Jona, a professor of agricultural science.

What was the primordial world like before the arrival of humans? What kind of tree was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil? From which plants was Noah’s Ark constructed? Under which tree did Abraham rest when three messengers came to visit him? And furthermore: how many burning bushes did Moses actually encounter? What plants did the Hebrews find in the desert? And which ones did they find upon returning to the Promised Land? Through a clear and engaging narrative, this volume guides the reader in discovering the plant world of the Hebrew Bible, spanning from the great creation stories to the texts of the rabbinic tradition. Trees, shrubs, herbs, and woods serve as a common thread for re-examining both well-known and lesser-known episodes from an original and accessible perspective—one that offers surprises and food for thought regarding environmental issues, a major theme of contemporary life. Each reference to the natural world thus opens up new layers of meaning, presenting a vision of Judaism in which nature serves as a source of instruction, balance, and blessing for all humanity.