By Green Prophet guest poster Debra A. Waldoks.
Every Friday night religious Jews light candles for Shabbat, the Sabbath or Shabbos. Guest poster Debra A. Waldoks sends us this tip in “light” of Earth Day today. Jewish or not, consider the ramifications of earth-friendly candles.
My husband called me out on it: He claims that I am “green” when it affects my personal health but I couldn’t care less when it is “just” about the environment. For example, we use Nature Babycare diapers because they are chlorine-free, made from 100% natural material (not petrochemicals) and they did not cause diaper rashes on our children.
The fact that they are biodegradeable is, of course, a plus, but my husband alleges that the environment was not my primary concern in choosing a diaper. And I admit it, sort of. It is true that I first became interested in doing more “green” things as I learned that our family’s health would be affected. However, most green changes not only affect your health but also the health of the environment. Chemicals that are bad for our personal health are also more likely to release toxic chemicals, greenhouse gases, and carbon dioxide into the air and water. And I’ve grown to appreciate that as well. Which brings us to our home-made beeswax Shabbat candles.
Store-bought Sabbath candles are generally made from paraffin wax; paraffin oil is also commonly used. Switching to beeswax candles or olive oil may be better for your health and for the environment.
Continued on the Green Prophet website.
