Community Corner
Malibu Rat Poison Ban: Compassionate Legislation
Since the effort to ban rodenticides began, I have learned of alternative methods that effectively keep the rodents away, without toxicity.
This past Monday night, the Malibu City Council unanimously voted to oppose the sale and use of anticoagulant rodenticides in Malibu. Before this effort came to my attention, I was uneducated about the anticoagulant in the products we use to keep our space clear of rodent intruders, nor did I realize how these rodentcides affect our great landscape of wildlife.
In further research, I came to learn about the domino rippling effect that such poisons have on our non-human “neighbors” such as owls and mountain lions, among others who “respect” our space and do not intrude into our residence. But these animals are suffering and dying as a result of the poisons they digested by eating the food that has been poisoned by us. Since this effort began, I have learned of alternative methods that effectively keep the rodents away...without toxicity.
This educational saga made me feel grateful for the grassroots efforts spearheaded by Kian Schulman and her friends, for council members John Sibert and Lou La Monte who have introduced the measure and for the compassion that our city council members have shown in favoring our environment.
Last night, before retiring, I opened to a random teaching from a well- known book on Jewish mysticism called in Hebrew “Tomer Devorah” by the great mystic, Rabbi Moshe Cordevero. Because of the timing, I feel compelled to share with you this excerpt:
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“in addition… one’s compassion must spread over all creatures. Do not humiliate them, do not destroy them, for the Higher wisdom has compassion on all creatures, and its compassion spreads forth over all of creation, the inanimate creations (such as minerals) the vegetative creations (all plants) living creatures (all animals, mammals etc.), and the speaking creatures (humans). And for this reason our sages cautioned us regarding disrespecting our food source. This matter is noteworthy, for just as the Higher wisdom, does not waste any existence, and everything is made from there (the higher wisdom) as it is written “You have made everything with wisdom” so shall be the mercy of man on all of His workings, blessed be the source”
Indeed I have also learned how the great mystics that followed, such as the famous 5th century Kabbalist, Rabbi Issac Luria, were very careful not to kill any bug, even the smallest and lowliest, such as fleas, lice, flies, and the like, even when they bit him.
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To me, it was significant that I opened the book randomly and read this passage. I was pleased to take note that the actions of Kian and our council members are aligned to "Higher wisdom.”
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