Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Today is Earth Day. In Judaism, every day can be called by that name. Our Torah begins with Genesis chapters one and two to illustrate that God is the landlord of the earth. We are tenants and stewards and must take care of what God has provided us.

Shabbat, with its cessation of labors and interferences with nature, is an earth day by definition. The various Festivals are all agricultural in nature and speak to the protection of the earth. Tu Bishvat is perhaps the most tangible earth day celebration in the Jewish calendar.

In our liturgy, the first mandatory blessing morning and evening describes God as the author of creation, the creator of morning and evening. The blessings after meals begins with the theme of God as sustainer of all.

The challenge of Earth Day is for humanity to properly appreciate and distribute the great gifts God has bestowed upon this earth.

Happy Earth Day,

Rabbi Howard Morrison