Eicha for the Earth: Guidelines for a Ceremony of Celebration, Lament and Action |
By Rabbi Arthur WaskowTisha B'Av — the midsummer day of Jewish mourning for the ancient Temples in Jerusalem, and of hope for a transformed future — can be focused on the endangered Earth as today the Temple of all peoples, all lifeforms.
What follows is the text of how such an Earth-centered prayerful process could have these themes:
Although at The Shalom Center we have put considerable energy intoworking this out, it is not carved in stone. We encourage communities to work out their own changes or additions.
After the text, you can find suggestions in more detail about using the liturgy or parts of it on Tisha B'Av itself or in creating an event on the Sunday before Tisha B'Av.
1. CELEBRATION OF THE EARTH
“Come with me, my love, come away,
Chant: "Kamti ani, liftoakh l'dodi; Kamti ani, liftoakh l'dodi;
2. LAMENT FOR THE EARTH Click here to read Eicha for the Earth.
3. ACTION TO HEAL THE EARTH
4. RENEWED CELEBRATION OF AN EARTH RENEWED “Hallelu-YAH!
Chant: "Vayasem midbarah k'eden (3x),
Rabbi Arthur Waskow is a former member of the Green Zionist Alliance slate for the World Zionist Congress and the director of The Shalom Center, where these guidelines were first published.
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