SHEMOT > Beshalach > Shabbat Shirah > Can We Achieve the Impossible?
ABSTRACT
“Impossible. Absolutely impossible.” How often do we hear these discouraging words, pouring cold water on our freshly hatched ideas?
As we honor the 62nd year of the Rebbe’s assuming leadership on Yud Shevat, today is a perfect time to review and re-embrace the core principles taught to us by the Rebbe.
Two of these central themes are also emphasized in this time of year: In the miracle of the parting sea in our weekly Torah portion and in Tu B’shvat, New Year for Trees, which we celebrate next Wednesday.
But first let us explore the strange nature of both these events:
The miracle of the parting sea was seemingly an unnecessary and bizarre event considering that there is no sea that separates between Egypt and Israel. So why did G-d take them on a detour to lead them to the sea, so that the parting could take place?!
And regarding Tu B’Shevat -- why in the world do we honor the New Year for Trees in the first place? We are, after all, humans, not trees, and we mark our own New Year, when the human was created on Rosh Hashana, so why is it relevant for us to celebrate the New Year for… Trees?
Both these questions will be answered by studying two of the Rebbe’s great contributions to our lives: That nothing is impossible, and the critical importance of sensitivity.
SHEMOT > Beshalach > Tu B’Shevat > How Sensitive Are You?
ABSTRACT
With all the talk about environmental protection, it’s worth asking: Who was the first to actually celebrate nature with a special holiday?
This coming week we celebrate Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees. Why do we honor the New Year for Trees in the first place? We are, after all, humans, not trees, and we mark our own New Year, when the human race was created on Rosh Hashana, so why is it relevant for us to celebrate the New Year for… Trees?
Tu B’Shevat and the Jewish view on environmentalism contains a fascinating and relevant message for all of us – the critical importance of sensitivity.
Appreciating the environment is not merely a crusade and another cause; it reflects awareness of the Divine in all. In makes us more cognizant of every detail in life – how one virtuous deed affects the delicate balance on which the fate of the world hangs.
