H EADLINES
at the University of Pennsylvania,
who studies the philosophy of
science and biology.

“A lot of times, either you
have to try to kill that invader, or
you’re going to let the rest of the
ecosystem suff er,” he said.

Weisberg doesn’t believe this
is feel-good work.

In the Galapagos Islands,
invasive feral goats were eating
the vegetation that giant tortoises,
a protected species, ate. In order
to conserve the environment for
a species dwindling in numbers,
scientists opted to kill the goats.

A vegetarian for most of his life,
Weisberg avoids killing animals,
but agrees with the decision to
kill the goats, recognizing that
there is an ecological balance that
sometimes must be maintained.

Luckily, ethically and
Jewishly, killing an insect is
less morally-gray than killing a
mammal, such as a goat.

“Certainly that’s a diff erence
between animals and insects,”
Goldman said.

In Jewish thought, living
things exist in a hierarchy:
“Th ere’s the inanimate ground,
which gives rise to plant life,
which gives rise to the next level
of life, which is to be used by
mankind,” Leizerowski said.

Weisberg agrees with this
diff erence to an extent. He
believes that killing an insect is
diff erent from killing a mammal,
as they are biologically diff erent
in how they experience pain.

“Insects have pretty limited
ability to suff er,” Weisberg said.

So next time you encounter a
spotted lanternfl y and are at the
crossroads of whether to stamp (or
stomp) it out, know that you are
in the company of many Jewish
authorities — of the academic,
religious and moral varieties —
when it comes to the ambivalence
of taking another life.

And while you don’t have to
enjoy it, you can be reasonably
certain you won’t have to repent
for it, either. ●
srogelberg@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0741
ISRAELBRIEFS Six Palestinian Terrorists Escape
Maximum Security Israeli Prison
SIX PALESTINIAN MEN imprisoned on
terrorism charges escaped from their high-se-
curity Israeli jail, apparently through a crawl
space, on Sept. 10, JTA reported.

Five Islamic Jihad militants and a Fatah opera-
tive — Zakaria Zubeidi, one of the best-known
Palestinians convicted in Israel for terrorism —
were the subject of a massive manhunt.

Th e escapees belonged to two separate
prison cells. Guards discovered a hole that
led to a crawl space under the fl oor tiles in
one cell. Th rough that space, the prisoners
appear to have moved under the building and
beyond its walls. Th ey hammered their way
above ground once they passed the prison
perimeter, Ynet reported.

Four prisoners had been captured as of Sept. 14.

Tel Aviv Places High in Time Out
Time Out magazine ranked Tel Aviv as the
world’s most fun city for a second consecutive
year, as well as the eighth-best city in the world
and the second-best city, behind Shanghai, in
the food and drink category, Globes reported.

Th e rankings were compiled from a survey of
what the magazine called 27,000 “city-dwellers.”
Survey respondents cited Tel Aviv’s night life,
restaurants and culture and feeling of commu-
nity. It also scored strongly on environmental
initiatives and a commitment to activism.

San Francisco was voted the world’s best city.

One in Every Seven Returning Uman
Pilgrims Tests Positive for COVID-19
About 14.3% of returning pilgrims from Uman,
Ukraine, tested positive for COVID-19, Th e
Jerusalem Post reported, citing Magen David Adom.

Israel’s national emergency services provider
said 2,000 of those returning from Uman tested
positive in its rapid-testing facilities in that city
and in the Kiev airport terminal.

About 25,000 Israelis traveled to Uman for
Rosh Hashanah to celebrate at the graveside
of the founder of the Breslov Chasidic group,
according to the Population and Immigration
Authority. Th e Population Authority said that those
testing positive were infected in Ukraine,
adding that it received information showing
that several dozen infected pilgrims boarded
fl ights to Israel. ●
— Compiled by Andy Gotlieb
This is the door.

Imagine what’s behind it.

The Mansion at Rosemont is a boutique senior living community
in the heart of the Main Line, where residents cherish all the small
things that add up to a fervent embrace of life after 62.

To schedule a tour, please call 610-553-6891 or see us online
at TheMansionAtRosemont.org
SEPTEMBER EVENTS
Don’t miss these upcoming events at The Mansion:
Thursday, Sept. 23rd, 2 pm | Right-Sizing Success
Thursday, Sept. 30th, 2 pm | Secrets to Selling Your Home in 2021
To reserve your place, call 610-553-6891
or visit RosemontRSVP.com
Where Life Appreciates
I N D E P E N D E N T
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM Wishing you an easy
fast and a healthy
New Year!
L I V I N G / P E R S O N A L
JEWISH EXPONENT
C A R E
SEPTEMBER 16, 2021
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