Last month world leaders gathered in Copenhagen to try and find ways to overcome global warming, which has become a very serious issue. 

Because we are close to Tu B’Shevat, which is also known as “The New Year for Trees” I would like to try to explore the Jewish approach to environmental ethics.  Many people would think that this is not a halacha issue but there is no doubt that the Bible and the Talmud are full of examples dealing with environmental ethics as we believe they are important Jewish issues.

Nearly every Shabbat in our synagogue we meet visitors from different places in the world.  Recently we have seen people from Israel, America, Britain, Europe, South America and elsewhere.   We know that we have a different style of prayer and they may not be exactly familiar with the tunes that we use but one thing for sure is that they know exactly what sedra they are going to read in every synagogue every Shabbat.  Every visitor knows what the Rabbi’s drasha will be about. 

There is another common shiur which is called “Daf Yomi”. 

Dear Readers,

Exactly one year ago in my article I spoke about the importance of studying Torah, and followed this with a letter to the leaders of the community, asking them to open their meetings with few minutes of Torah.  I am pleased to inform you that most of the committees adopted my suggestion, and during last year they opened their meetings with readings and learning. I hope that they will continue with this custom through the coming year.

In order to stay with the spirit of the High Holydays I have a new idea:

For 5770 I am approaching you with another initiative.  I am calling upon every member of the community to “adopt” someone that you did not have a real connection with before and who may be sick or lonely and in need of social contact.

Dear Rabbi,
Question:  
I used to visit the Moriah Kindy on Fridays and I want to ask: Why do only the little girls covers their faces when the Imma is lighting the candles for ‘Kabbalat Shabbat’?
Answer:

• Both men and women are obligated to have candles lit in their homes on Shabbat, but the responsibility to light candles is upon women more than on men. Therefore if the woman of the house is home, she takes precedence over her husband in lighting.
• We follow the custom to light before reciting the bracha.
• By covering her eyes with her hands during the recitation she benefits from the light only after the bracha. It is customary for girls in the home to do as the woman of the house does by also covering their eyes.