Trustees of God’s Creation
Today we celebrate the creation of the earth – God’s creation of the seas and the skies, the trees and the flowers, all of earth’s creatures, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest ocean whale; to ourselves, human beings formed, according to our tradition, at the 11th hour, just before sunset on the 6th Day of Creation. Today, Rosh HaShanah, we celebrate the gift and the wonder of the magnificent, beautiful and fragile web of life that is planet Earth.
Today we celebrate the creation of the earth – God’s creation of the seas and the skies, the trees and the flowers, all of earth’s precious creatures. But our earth is burning, our farmlands scorched; our oceans flowing with plastic, our inhabitants choked by air pollution and drowned by floods and hurricanes. Just a short few years ago the Amazon and Australia were on fire; then Canada and California; then, so much closer to home, Greece, Spain and Scotland were burning. In January, Los Angeles was burning – the wildfires no respecter of wealth and privilege.
Today we celebrate. But there are many who have given up hope, and live in a state of climate depression, fearful for their children and children’s children. They observe grimly the evidence of climate emergency in rising temperatures, rising sea levels, ever more frequently occurring extreme weather events, ever rapidly accelerating species extinction, in the extreme weather of just the past few months – four successive droughts this summer in rainy England and autumn come a whole month early – a disaster for the wildlife that depends on berries, acorns and autumn vegetation in their proper time - and they conclude that the tipping points that will destroy our planet are already irreversible.
Today we celebrate the creation of the earth. Hayom Harat Olam, Today, Rosh HaShanah, is the Birthday of the World. But how are we to celebrate if the point has tipped and we are heading for oblivion?
There’s an alternative translation to Hayom Harat Olam, attributed to a disciple of Rashi. Not ‘Today is the Birthday of the World,’ but ‘Today the World Trembles.’ At this time according to Jewish tradition, ‘the earth hangs suspended over the void’ awaiting God’s judgement. Perhaps trembling with the world is a more appropriate response as we and all humanity await God’s judgment?
Jewish tradition urges, not depression or despair, but hope and action, teaching that each and every action makes a difference. Our tradition demands responsibility of us, and calls upon each of us to act. We can and must learn to live with and limit the devastation of human activity on our planet.
What actions are within our grasp in the Jewish New Year 5786, which choices can we make for good? First, we are charged with learning the facts, following the science, and raising awareness – our own and that of others. Read books. Watch documentaries. On Extinction Rebellion’s website there’s a comprehensive guide to the science of the
Climate Emergency and what we can do, written by Dr Emily Grossman – a brilliant young scientist who is also active in XR Jews.
We are charged with greater mindfulness in everything we do. Let us delight in our natural world. Let us pause to truly appreciate its beauty and its power to heal. Let us rewild our gardens, plant veg and pollinating flowers, offer welcome to bees and refuge to insects who are disappearing from our planet faster than all other species.
We are charged to speak out. To use our position of privilege to bring change. From writing to our local councillors and MPs on green issues, to speaking out in our work places and taking every opportunity to influence people in power who can make a difference. David Attenborough never planned to be a voice for raising awareness on climate emergency. Half a century after making his early documentaries, his passion for the natural world has driven him to turn climate campaigner in his 10th decade!
And we are charged to take action, from the smallest to the greatest choice and act. From the decision, when we shop, to buy local, and avoid buying fruit and veg that has been air-freighted; to eating less meat, if we are not already pescetarian, veggie or vegan; to cutting down on flying, and instead holidaying at home in the UK; to planning on an electric vehicle next time we buy a car; to moving our money away from institutions and banks that invest in and subside fossil fuels and making greener choices for our investments.
Each individual act makes a difference. But together, our impact is greater. The power of community is that, when we organise and act together, our impact is magnified. What a glorious triumph to picnic in June by the saplings planted in partnership with Birmingham’s Fruit and Nut Village community gardens network in early Spring at the Interfaith event in Speedwell Park, organised by our own Interfaith and Tikkun Olam group? Soon we will have a Biblical garden on our outdoor terrace, which Pete Noons and Lorraine will be happy to tell you more about. As a BPS community, what other actions are within our grasp in the coming Year?
Today we celebrate the creation of the earth – the gift and the wonder of the magnificent, beautiful and fragile web of life that is planet Earth. According to our tradition, God tasked human beings as Trustees of God’s creation, charged us with tending, guarding and protecting Earth, our only Home. We have reached the 11th hour. This Rosh HaShanah, may we all step up to fulfil our responsibility as Trustees of God’s creation. While there is still time to make a difference.
Ken yehi ratzon
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