Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

On the Jewish holiday Tu-Bishevat, those familiar with Jewish mystical movements tell the story of the 18th-century Hasidist, Nachman of Bratzlav, recounting a dream from one of his journeys: “All night I dreamed I was surrounded by the bodies of those who had been murdered….Now I know that it was the souls of the trees that cried out to me.” On Tu-Bishevat (often called “The New Year of the Tree” or “Arbor Day”), Hasidists and modern Reform Jews celebrate the new year for trees. Like other Jewish holidays, it has deep roots in the ancient Jewish Temple cult and agriculture. In recent years, churches, especially mainline traditions, have started to seek a renewed awareness concerning the environment, and humanity’s impact on the nature. With worship services and liturgies for “Earth Day,” they try to emphasize the relationship between humans and the environment, and the responsibilities of humanity that result. These liturgies, however, have had limited theological and practical impact. This paper emphasizes the deep ties between liturgy and nature, exemplified by Jewish calendrical rites with a focus on Tu-Bishevat. By exploring the sociological role of liturgy, the paper illustrates how human thought and habits are shaped by worship rites. Theologically, the comparison of the liturgical resources of Tu-Bishevat and Christian “Earth-Day” liturgies can give new insights into a Christian ecological theology enacted and encouraged through worship.