Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"Today, as we celebrate the creation of the world, we are called also to work to protect it, so that our children will know that we did the work to leave it for them, so that we uphold our status as a ledor vador people! At the end of our Shofar service, we proclaim: 'Hayom Harat Olam,' today is the day of the world's creation, jubilantly and with literal fanfare from our Shofarot! As we celebrate and express our gratitude to God for creation, we ought to be cognizant that we are also acting less than gratefully to God by neglecting the commands that we have to be stewards of this earth, caretakers for the next generation.

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"In the second chapter of the book of Genesis, after God creates Adam, God creates Eden and places Adam therein, but with purpose. 'The Eternal God took Adam and placed him in the garden of Eden, to till it and protect it.' The Hebrew for protect in that verse is from the root shamor, the same word God uses when teaching us about keeping Shabbat. We protect things that are important and Holy, worthy of our protection, worthy of our partnering with God in the endeavor. God intended that humanity always be stewards of the earth, to help it provide for humanity. Even before God creates Eve, God reminds Adam that his responsibility, and therefore humanity's, generation after generation, dor lador, is to watch over the earth."

-- Rabbi Daniel Bar-Nahum, 2019-09-30 (Rosh HaShanah, 5780)

[Shanah tovah to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah tonight and tomorrow! May the new year, 5783, be one of sweetness.]