Q:
Should we have reason to worry over the diminishing ozone layer of the sun?
A:
Whatever it means, don’t worry about anything. You have plenty to worry besides that. You don’t realize what there is to worry about and you’re not worrying about the real things. I don’t want to tell you things you should worry about, because I don’t want to add to your worries. But there’s plenty to worry about. You don’t know about it though, so ignorance is bliss. So keep on being ignorant and don’t worry.
But to worry about other things that aren’t your fault and you could do nothing about it, no. Hakodosh Boruch Hu is in charge. Boruch Hashem, the world has existed successfully for so long, it will continue to be managed properly from now on too.
Of course, you shouldn’t intentionally harm your environment. You shouldn’t poison your neighborhood by wastes, certainly. But in general things that are out of control of human beings, like the ozone layer and the effect of the sunshine on the world or because the earth is emitting radon? You can’t help that, so whatever you can do to protect yourself, you should do; otherwise, rely on Hashem.
You shouldn’t go in the sun; you shouldn’t expose yourself to too much sunshine, that’s true. Too much sunshine is injurious and dangerous. All good things if used in excess are dangerous. It’s not Hashem’s fault if you misuse them. But in general, when things are not under your control, don’t worry about them.
October 1988
