Rosh Hashanah and creation

5774 years ago, God created the heavens and the earth on Rosh Hashanah. Exactly what happened is still largely to me a mystery, but I understand that `the Firstborn” (= Messiah Yeshua) had a significant share in here. “Bereshit bara Elohim et haSjamajiem ve-et haArets”, the first sentence of the Tanakh, namely means except ‘in (a) beginning Gd created the heavens and the earth’ also ‘With the firstborn-Gd created the heavens and the earth.’

I ride my bike daily to and from my work and I ride in a beautiful piece of nature and lately I look more intently at the beautiful trees, grasses and flowers. I realize that the Lord has created nature with so much love. Unfortunately, I also notice that we human beings are creating havoc, witness the many cans, bags etc. lying on the roadside and are regularly ground into hundreds of pieces when the mower is about, which eventually results in the infamous plastic soup.

Especially In the period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur we look back and take stock for our behavior in the past year and see where we have been lacking. We want to do better next year and find area’s where we will improve in character.

That’s why I decided to write letters to two schools and the City Hall to mention the fact of the children throwing so much trash in the nature sites. May be they will mention it in the schools so the children can also better their attitude in this matter!

I also decided to pick up garbage myself when I travel from my job. This is healthier than feeling annoyed. When you think of the Jewish concept of Tikun Olam – a skill level from the Mishnah that can be used with the duty to watch over your way of life and to repair what is within your possibilities. So watch the way you treat nature, people, etc. For the Lord looketh on the heart and maybe this also gives you inspiration?

Janneke Spruyt-den Boer