Ma Koreh

Weekly Torah Portion

Parashat BeHar-Bechukotai – Leviticus 25:1 – 27:34

In this week’s double Torah portion, we read about the laws of shemittah – of resting the land and crops every seven years as well as the Jubilee year every 50 years, as a time of release and freedom from debts and servitude. The Torah also describes the positive results that may result from following the teachings of the Torah and the mitzvot, and negative consequences for the people of Israel if they do not follow the laws.

Family discussion:

Why do you think the laws of shemittah, of letting the land rest every seven years, is part of the Torah? How can this concept help us address our many environmental challenges, such as waste and overuse of natural resources?
Are rewards and punishments the same as positive and negative consequences for our choices and actions? Do positive and negative consequences come from our actions themselves or from external sources (like parents, teachers, police etc.)?

Year 4 sharing their Jewish short stories with Year 1

Last term in Jewish Studies, Year 4 learnt about Jewish short stories and how they can be used to teach Jewish values and morals. After reading and hearing a variety of classic and contemporary short stories, students wrote their own Jewish short story. This week they visited Year 1 to read and share their work.

Concept of the Week
Do not destroy – Bal tashchit – בל תשחית

This fundamental environmental concept of not wasting or destroying is found in the Torah (Deuteronomy 20:19) as a Biblical prohibition against cutting down fruit bearing trees during war. The Talmud expands on the concept of bal tashchit to include actions such as breaking vessels, tearing clothes, destroying buildings, clogging wells and wasting food. This ancient prohibition against waste and destruction serves as a reminder of our responsibility towards the environment and future generations. It remains particularly relevant in our modern, consumerist global society, with increasing gaps between rich and poor, environmental degradation and wastage of food and fresh water. Food wastage (the opposite of bikkurim and the valuing of food) will be one of the themes we explore for Shavuot.

To learn more about how Judaism understands and interprets this mitzvah, click on these links:

The ABC is tackling the issue of our own wasteful habits with a new program and website – War on Waste which can be found at:

To learn more about food waste, actions people are taking and what you can do:

www.ozharvest.org/food-saver/

www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au

Limmud Oz 2017

Limmud Oz, the Festival of Jewish Ideas, is happening soon over the June long weekend. Limmud Oz features performances, workshops, talks, panel discussions, international specialists and local experts exploring an array of topics covering Israeli and the Middle East, arts and creativity, Jewish thought, memory and history and society today. There is also a packed Young Limmud and a program for Teens. We hope to see you there!