The spiritual relationship between human beings and the natural world is a key—but often overlooked—element of the Jewish tradition.

On March 5, David Shyovitz, director of Northwestern University’s Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies, will present “A Brief History of Teva: God and Nature in the Jewish Tradition,” this year’s Abraham Joshua Heschel Lecture.

Drawing on a range of classical texts and traditions, the lecture will explore the historical development, and contemporary relevance, of Jewish environmental ethics.

An associate professor of history at Northwestern, Shyovitz’s research and teaching focus on pre-modern Jewish history, with particular emphases on Jewish-Christian relations, Jewish thought and the development of Jewish law.

The Heschel Lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, in the Frick Center, Founders Lounge. Admission is free and all are welcome to attend.