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Hebrew College, Newton Centre, MA, USA
Via Shamash Org on-line class service
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Hilton Head Island, SC;Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
Tu B'Shevat
"Gotta Pay Your Dues if You Wanna Sing the Blues"
"Moses stood at da Red Sea sho,
Smotin' dat wadah wit a two by fo."
So sang the African American slaves during our country's shameful "peculiar institution," echoing Miriam as she sang more than three thousand years before: "Sing to God for He is exalted above the arrogant, having hurled horse and rider into the sea." (Ex 15:21).
Only a mere seven days after their triumphant exodus from
When the Israelites were safely on dry land, they gave thanks to God in wondrous song, which is how this Shabbat gets in special name, Shabbat Shirah, the Sabbath of Song (Ex. 15:01-21). But only three days later after witnessing the miracle of the splitting of the sea and the drowning of their pursuers, the children of
"Muddah n sistah sittin in da shade talkin bout da money dat I aint made," goes the second verse of the aforementioned Gullah song. It sure is easy to sit comfortably in the shade and complain about the entitlements that you are not receiving is the implication.
Our people came upon the waters of Mirah, which tasted bitter, and complained. The water was drinkable, but it did not taste sweet. So Moses threw a tree into the water and flavored it (Ex 15: 22-25). The people did not take action on their own behalf. Instead, they sat down and sang the blues, hoping for a quick fix and a rescuer.
A few weeks later, instead of hunting and foraging for food, Moses' people complained some more. They were given manna each morning, except on Shabbat (Ex. 16:01-05). This lasted for forty years as they wandered the desert. They had forgotten so quickly about our songs of joy, and learned well the laments of the blues.
In contrast, this Shabbat we celebrate the new year for trees, Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish earth day. This holiday exemplifies what modern Spiritual Judaism is about - action. Jews celebrate this holiday by resolving to improve themselves and the world around them. The rabbis say that this is the day that trees begin to form new fruit. The trees need proper nurturing; and so do our souls.
A spiritual lesson is that "a person is like a tree of the field." (Deut. 20:19). This lesson teaches us that when our fortunes take a turn for the worse, when we fall into despair and have lost hope, we should ponder a tree in winter. Its leaves have fallen. Its moisture has dried up. It is practically dead. Then suddenly, it begins to revive and to draw moisture from the earth. Slowly it blossoms and once again brings forth its fruit. From this we should learn not to despair, but to take hope and have courage, for we too are like a tree (Rabbi Yisrael of Chortkov).
Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for Trees, is one of four Jewish new years. It celebrates the rebirth of trees in the midst of winter, the Kabbalistic reawakening of divine energy with God as the tree of life. This holiday is the first Earth Day. The Talmud declares: "If you have a sapling, and someone says that the Messiah has come, complete the planting, and then go welcome the Messiah." The idea of the importance of having faith and moving forward, as well as being stewards of the earth, is as old as Judaism itself.
Historically, Jews have always done their best when proactive as opposed to reactive. Conversely, we have fared the worst when we expected divine intervention without working hand in hand with God as a junior partner for change.
The concept of Tikun Olam, repair of the world, involves us in a partnership with God. In this Haftarah (Judges 4:04 to 5:31) we see plainly how Jews can take action and change events. Deborah and Jael, two brave women, did not wait for permission from the male hierarchy to act. When the Canaanite king, Jabin, and his general, Sisera, were dominating our people after Joshua's conquest of
As individuals we need not feel powerless to change our lives and improve our world. We need not feel incapable of feeding ourselves or sweetening our pools of water. We can, on a daily basis, remember to sing daily praises and beracoth for all that we have. We can feed ourselves with wisdom and drink from the words of our ancestors. We can amend and adapt our traditions to liberate ourselves and become closer to God and to each other. We can reclaim our Judaism through a definite path set down for us via the sages, and made easy for us know via Jewish Spiritual Renewal.
Ezra decreed that because only three days elapsed between the miracle and the song at the sea, and the blues at the pool of bitter waters, we should not go more than three days without nourishing our souls with Torah study. This is why Ezra, after the return of our people from
We can, as individuals and as a holy congregation, do so much to help each other and our community. Become involved with mitzvoth this year, study Torah or other Jewish spiritual texts. Volunteer at your children's religious schools or your community's Boys and Girls Club. Sing a New Song this Shabbat. Plant a tree of life. We will find others to join with us.
"Serve God with Gladness, come before Him with Song...Give Thanks to Him, Bless His name. For God is Good, His Chesed (kindness) endures forever!" (Psalm 100 1-5).
Hebrew College, Newton Centre, MA, USA
Via Shamash Org on-line class service
Jewish Renewal
Jewish Spiritual Renewal
Hilton Head Island, SC;Bluffton, SC, Savannah, GA
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