Happy New Year Animals!

Our Jewish tradition provides us an opportunity to mark another new year. There are actually four New Years listed in Jewish sources. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year, as we celebrate the creation of the world. It falls on the 1st of the Hebrew month of Tishrei.

We also mark the New Year for Trees - Rosh Hashana L’IIanot, or Tu B’Shvat. This is the time we are obligated to give lots of love to our trees, and focus on the environment and the commandment Ba'al Tashchit (Do not waste). Conservation and sustainability awareness has become a large component of the observance Tu B’Shevat.

Today is the day to give lots of love to our animals! We are obligated to give extra love on this day. Today is Rosh Hashana L’Behemah: The New Year for Animals.

What is the origin for this special day?

In ancient Israel, Rosh HaShanah la-Behemah affected shepherds and cattle herders. Tithing and taking a census served as a way to keep track of the animals, both the working ones and the domesticated ones. Domesticated animals (behemot) born before this date were placed in one group for tithing, and those born after were placed in another group.

Rosh Hashana L’Behema day gives us the opportunity to observe the commandment of Tza’ar Ba’alei Haim - caring for the suffering of animals. There is no longer tithing of animals, however this special day can present us the opportunity to reflect on what it means to care for and about animals.

Today is also Rosh Hodesh Elul. We celebrate the new month of Elul, the month immediately preceding Tishrei. This month is all about introspection and taking stock of ourselves and how we interact with others around us, including the environment and other living creatures. We are given the time and space to think about animals and their impact on our human lives.

We listen to the shofar each day this month. The ram’s horn is used as a wake up call for us. This is yet another tangible, sensory reminder of the importance of animals in our tradition.

So, if you have a pet, give him or her an extra hug. If you do not have a pet, use some designated time to think about the relationship with all the living creatures with whom we share the world.

Hodesh Tov (Good month) and Happy New Year!