Tonight begins Rosh Chodesh Sh’vat, the beginning of the Hebrew lunar month. This week, we’ve been exploring the history behind the month and the questions it poses for the modern Jew.
With its celebration of Tu b’Sh’vat (ט”ו בשבט), the Jewish New Year for Trees, the month of Sh’vat brings an increased awareness of our responsibility – achrayut – for the earth. Achrayut may come from the Hebrew word for other – acher – or the Hebrew word for after – achar. In either case, fulfilling our role as caretakers of the earth represents an act of achraiyut, preserving the wonders of creation to share with others in the present and in perpetuity.
In our Center for Youth Engagement, families learn about achrayut through discovering many ways they may exercise care for the earth, through weeding and planting our Peah garden (the garden located near our parking garage), through lessons on curbing food and water waste, through pickling and jamming to avoid wasting fruits and vegetables, and through practicing composting and recycling.
The month represents a great opportunity for us to introduce new rituals and practices into our households that help us exercise our achraiyut – our responsibility to care for creation. How will you begin to care in greater earnest for the earth during this Sh’vat?
– Rabbi Josh Knobel