Torah Portion of the Week
Building Character through the Themes of the Weekly Torah Portion
It is in this portion that the Torah famously compares man to the tree of the field:
“For a person is like a tree of the field.”
(Deuteronomy 20:19)
A Policy against Wastefulness
When we consume resources in a sensible way without wasting, we become more conscious about what is around us and more thankful for what we’ve been given. What are some of the things you can do to help take care of the precious resources and life that God has created in this world?
Conserve water. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth. Fix leaky faucets. Take shorter showers. Turn the water off while shaving or lathering shampoo. Install water-efficient fixtures (faucets, shower heads, low-flow toilets) and appliances (dishwaters and washing machines). Save rainwater to water houseplants.
Use less electricity. Unplug your phone after it’s done charging. Unplug electronics that are not being used. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Dry your laundry outside when possible.
Reduce clothing waste. Make a quilt out of old clothing. Wash carefully and treat stains promptly. Fix buttons and patch holes when possible. Repurpose old clothing by adding embellishments, cutting sleeves, turning them into produce bags, and even making scarves out of them. The internet is full of creative ideas on how to repurpose old clothing.
Be careful not to unnecessarily waste money. Make a food plan before going to the grocery store to avoid wasting both money and food. If you eat out a lot, choose one or more days a week to cook at home instead. Don’t go shopping on a whim. Create a savings plan.
Be kind to the animals and insects. Every living creature, from the largest blue whale to the tiniest firefly, is part of God’s precious creation. We are to treat them kindly, humanely, and with compassion.
Every little change and decision we make to champion a healthy, balanced world can have a domino effect on our families, the people around us, and our planet at large.
Pronunciation Guide for Transliterated Hebrew Words
a |
[a] as in arm |
ai |
[ai] as in Thailand |
e |
[e] as in red |
ei |
[ei] as in eight |
i |
[i] as in ski |
o |
[o] as in score |
oi |
[oi] as in oil |
u |
[u] as in rule |
ui |
[ui] as in gluing |
ch/kh |
[ch] as in the Scottish loch |
g |
[g] as in good (not as in giant) |
tz |
[ts] as in hats |
‘ |
short “eh” or “uh” sound |
The Hebrew Scriptures in this text have been derived from the Westminster Leningrad Codex (WLC), and the English translation is based off of the JPS 1917 Tanakh.
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash®
