On Social Protest, the Ninth of Av, Competition and Mutual Cooperation
This week we commemorate the Ninth of Av. According to tradition, on this date both Temples in Jerusalem were burned and destroyed, the first over 2,600 years ago by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and the Second Temple by the Roman commander Titus over 1,950 years ago. For many, this day of destruction teaches and reminds us of the part the people had in the disasters: the sinat chinam (unfounded hatred), the hardheartedness, the arrogance, and the lack of unity.
This year, the fast occurs during the height of a major social protest, one that was born of the difficulties of individuals, the daily hardships, the lack of ability to pay rent. But it turned into a wider and more collective call from people who feel a greater responsibility for one another, and less indifferent, lethargic and insulated. It turned into a protest of Israelis who wish to re-examine and appeal the axiom that a free market, capitalism and free competition are the answer to every adversity, and that if the (very very) rich are happy, so goes the poor and middle class. They wish to shout out that there’s enough for all, without stepping on the next person, and without being stepped upon.
And perhaps we should be modest for a while, climb down a rung on the ladder of arrogance as human beings who are elevated above other creatures, and look around at nature. In the realm of nature, there are several mechanisms of interaction between various organisms in natural habitats. These interactions have a great impact on the size of populations, on their function in biological communities and on the shaping of community. Competition is one type of interaction, where populations compete for the limited sources in the natural habitat. Sound familiar? Another option is mutualism, where creatures living in physical proximity in a common habitat assist each other and profit from this proximity, cooperation and co-dependence.
Sound nerdy? Socialist? Geeky? It isn’t. This isn’t a morality lesson in being kind to thy neighbor, but rather a look at the wild, churlish, uncultured and untamed nature. And surprisingly (or perhaps not), it seems that competitive interactions have negative and unfavorable effects on all the organisms involved, while mutualism assists and avails all the organisms in the natural habitat.
There are several types of mutualism in nature. It can be specific, i.e., between a particular specie, or between various species. Some of these are crucial for survival, where one (or all) organism cannot survive in a society when the other is absent. In other relationships, mutualism serves as a boost for the competence of those involved. In the long run, competition is short-range. It will terminate or weaken the species and eventually bring about the extinction of one or both, thus limiting the amount of species living on the same resources. Mutualism interactions are, of course, long-lasting.
This isn’t about harmony, true love or the goodness of the heart. The correct terminology to be used when discussing mutualism in nature is: efficiency, competence, survival, the use of resources, development, success. It is durable not because it is moral, nice and pretty, but because it works. It’s definitely worth trying.
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What’s going on in Chubeza’s field? These summer days are passing well, despite the heat. In the morning we even enjoy two to three hours with a semblance of cool air. The field is emptying out of its summer habitants. The squash beds have been emptied and cleaned; the first corn stalks are growing glamorously yellow. The lettuce, Swiss chard and herbs are bravely battling the great heat, growing nicely under their shade nets. The summer Solanaceae rule the beds, with tomatoes, eggplants and peppers dotting the field.
The summer legumes are still growing. And those basking in the bliss of feeling at home in the great heat include the Thai (yard-long) beans, the lubia (cowpea) and the edamame (green soy) which began ripening last week. Yet another “pod” (though belonging to a different family) is the okra, who originated in Africa and is unfazed by summer, which continues to grow, blossom and produce. The melons are trying hard, but not having it easy, and the few zucchinis we planted lately are at the end of their tether. The corn is still alive and kicking. We seed corn almost every week, so we finish picking one bed and move on to the next, where the silk is darker and the cobs ready to be picked. The popcorn, its hair bright red, stands on the sidelines watching the young corn come and go. It is patiently waiting for the season to end, when it will dry up and be reaped to become a healthy, delightful snack.
Wishing you all a good week, and an easy fast,
Alon, Bat Ami and the Chubeza team
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What’s in This Week’s Boxes?
Monday: Okra or yard-long beans or edamame (green soy), eggplant, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sweet red peppers, spaghetti squash, lettuce, leeks, Musquee de Provence pumpkin, lemon verbena (Louisa) or mint (nana).
In the large box, in addition: melon, cherry tomatoes, cilantro or oregano.
Wednesday: spaghetti squash, Yard long beans or edamame (green soy) or cowpea (lubia), cucumbers, basil, tomatoes or Cherry tomatoes, beets, leek, eggplant, Musquee de Provence pumpkin, potatoes, red sweet peppers.
In the large box, in addition: okra, lettuce, onions.
And there’s more! You can add to your basket a wide, delectable range of additional products from fine small producers of these organic products: granola and cookies, flour, sprouts, goat dairies, fruits, honey, crackers, probiotic foods and sesame butter too! You can learn more about each producer on the Chubeza website. The attached order form includes a detailed listing of the products and their cost. Fill it out, and send it back to us soon.
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Due to Tisha B’Av, we’ll forgo this week’s recipes. Be back next week!