Paper 2 · Religion and Enterprise
Name the Jewish prohibition, meaning 'do not destroy', which forbids the needless destruction of trees, property or anything useful.
Model answer
bal tashchit
Also accepted: bal tashkhit, baal tashchit, bal taschit
Explanation: The rule comes from Deuteronomy 20:19, which forbids cutting down fruit trees to besiege a city, and the rabbis extended it to any wasteful destruction. It limits how far profit or convenience may be pursued at the expense of what is useful to others.
Derived from ZIMSEC Family and Religious Studies 4047/2, November 2020, Q6