D'var Torah

The first verse of Parshat Bo sums up the difficulty of making systemic change; Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. He will not willingly change course to create a sustainable future for Egypt or the Israelites. In fact, none of the environmental disasters that are brought on by the ten plagues ever move Pharaoh. Change comes only over his objections.

In breaking free from slavery, there was no alternative to eventually forcing a change from the top. Likewise, the threats that climate change poses to our planet require drastic change. We can advocate for change in Virginia – in the current legislative session, we stand to lose ground on changes enacted in 2020 and 2021 – and the country. There are ways we can help without breaking down barriers. We must also be open to projects that can benefit from our help right now if we open our own hearts.

The holiday of Tu BiShvat, which is coming up soon, is derived from a day that marked the age, or the “birthday” of the trees for purposes of following Jewish laws on cultivation. Since then, it has become a day on which we can focus on seders patterned after the Passover seder but centered on the natural world and our relationship with it.

Tu BiShvat is coming up on Sunday, February 5. It will be observed that morning and evening in the religious school. Adults are also invited to join Rabbi Stein and me, along with leaders of the Temple Sustainability Initiative, in a brief and fun Tu BiShvat seder, singing and vegetarian potluck dinner. Whether you are able to join one of these celebrations or not, I invite you to take a moment Sunday and Monday to reflect and perhaps learn something about sustainability in our personal lives, our community and the wider world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Jeff Saxe