Rosh Hashana La'behema - ראש השנה לבהמה 5772/2012

Alef Elul 5772 is August 19th, 2012 -- the Rosh Hashanah La'Behema -- the New Year's Day for Tithing Domesticated Animals mentioned in the Mishnah (Seder Moed 1:1). On the first day of the month of Elul, when our thoughts turn inwards towards correcting and healing all of our relationships, listen for the voice of the animals in the sound of the shofar. In the day intended to count... [read more]

Alef Elul 5772 is August 19th, 2012 -- the Rosh Hashanah La'Behema -- the New Year's Day for Tithing Domesticated Animals mentioned in the Mishnah (Seder Moed 1:1). On the first day of the month of Elul, when our thoughts turn inwards towards correcting and healing all of our relationships, listen for the voice of the animals in the sound of the shofar. In the day intended to count one's animals for sacrificial temple offerings, take into account and consider how domesticated animals depend on humankind for their health and wellbeing and in what ways our lives rely upon those of domesticated animals.

Just as we depend on the Holy Blessed One for our sustenance, so too has humankind made many creatures dependent on our welfare, directly through our need for them, or indirectly through our interruption of their ecology. On the first day the shofar is blown on Rosh Ḥodesh Elul, consider all the animals that were once domesticated and now live as homeless scavengers, all the animals being used for experiments, all the animals being slaughtered to satisfy appetites for meat or for leather clothing. In what way are you exercising responsibility for the animals on whom your lifestyle and diet depends? The mitzvah in the torah that demands your mindful awareness of the suffering of animals is called tsa'ar baalei chayim. This is a powerful day on the Jewish calendar to teach this mitzvah and the profound Jewish value respecting the lives of all living creatures.

ISRAEL EVENTS:

Aleph B'Elul "Seder": https://www.facebook.com/events/404492932943149/

Aleph B'Elul celebration for families: https://www.facebook.com/events/510842328942534/?ref=ts

For more information: http://wp.me/p1JV3h-Uq

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