Tu B’Shvat

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Tomorrow is Tu B’Shvat.   The 15th day of the month.  A full moon.  The New Year for Trees.

Yes, while folks deny that climate change is real, while folks want the environment crippled to benefit business, my religion never lets us forget that this earth, this world, is a gift.  A gift we share with others.  We must shepherd this world to insure that our children- and their children- and generations yet unthought – can enjoy this life, too.

Tu B'Shvat- 15th day of Shvat- the Jewish New Year for Trees

Where we are commanded to plant a new tree- if not plant many new trees. So, that every change we make can be one for the betterment of this planet.   To remind us that the Garden of Eden was our first home.  One that we outgrew- because the first couple decided to entertain a bite from the Tree of Knowledge.  Which meant that we needed to be responsible for our own lives, our own actions.

And, for those who don’t know, there is another tree that has sustained us.  Our Tora, the first five books of the bible (aka the Five Books of Moses), is called the Tree of Life for a reason.  Because like the other trees that sustain our lives (providing oxygen, shade, and food), this sacred tree sustains our moral and mental acuity- to insure that we do strive to make this world better, each and every day.

The trees are able to grow to certain heights due to the nature of their xylem and phloem,  the structures that are responsible for the transport of water and nutrients within the trees (subject to the laws of physics).  Just like it is our ability to grow and mature as a function of how the Tora- our beliefs and moral strictures- affords nourishment to our brain and our souls.  Because without such nourishment, we are no different than the animals and microbes that have no need to improve this world.

So, no matter what your religion, take the time today to consider…

How ARE you making this world just a little bit better?  Help the environment survive against our onslaughts, help the homeless find a place to stay- or food to eat, help the less-fortunate-than-us crack a smile today (every day would be wonderful).

Thank you for your wondrous thoughts and actions.  The world needs it.

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10 thoughts on “Tu B’Shvat”

    1. Not sure that buying a kindle or nook saves a tree, Marie. After all, the batteries that run those devices need proper disposal- which they rarely obtain. The electricity that repowers the devices is not exactly pollution free. It’s one of those “full accounting” scenarios that are tough to computer.
      But, borrowing from the library- which sounds like a great idea- may also involve driving your car…
      Oh, just ENJOY reading, Marie…that’s the best idea!

  1. Enjoyed this… trees are such a great lesson example for so many things. What “tree” are we planting with our actions? A great question to ask. There’s an old proverb from somewhere that starts that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago – the next best time is now. I’ve always loved the sentiment of that. Do what you can with what you have where you are. Everyone wins.
    Kathi Laughman recently posted..Are you an economy maker or an economic refugee?

  2. This caught my attention as I am about to write about the industrial revolution in Britain that changed the world.
    It started with improving coal mining methods, but the harness of steam and electricity that folllowed exploded into the modern world.
    The problem of course is the ravenous appetite of that world for resources which are being used in an unsustainable way – the need for inventing better ways to harness the sun is becoming desperate.
    I try to make a difference by recycling and not wasting food – little efforts, but efforts nonetheless.
    Thanks for the thought provoking post,
    Cheers,
    Gordon
    The Great Gordino recently posted..Did Obama Get It Wrong With The Pursuit Of Happiness?

  3. That story really resonated with me. Tommorow i get to look after my 12 week old granddaughter for the night and i’m so happy. And there i read, it will bear fruit in 70 years … I’m planting it for my grandchildren. I work hard to make the world a better place, for my family and for those whose lives i touch, and knowing there are people like you out there, shows the world is full of others doing their part to make this world a better place
    Larry Lewis recently posted..The Canvas Of Life

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