Our planet is changing, and while it can feel overwhelming, we have the power to shift the balance toward healing. Understanding humanity as having a central role to play in staving off ecological devastation has deep roots in Jewish wisdom. Our tradition explicitly forbids us from wanton destruction of nature. This commandment, bal tashchit, meaning “do not destroy,” can serve as a foundation for a Jewish ecological worldview, one which also commands us “to till and to tend” the Earth (Genesis 2:15). 

The seven weeks from Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah carry us from one of the saddest days in the Jewish calendar through to one of the most celebratory, and, for many of us, from the heat of summer toward the cooler days of fall. This arc of Jewish time is well-suited to both contemplating the changing seasons, and to going on the emotional journey of preparing to return to one’s higher self as Rosh Hashanah approaches. 

We hope these seven short rituals inspire you to take tangible, bold action in support of our planet. Feel free to engage with one ritual each week between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashanah, or simply begin wherever you feel called.

Tashlich, which literally means “casting off,” is a beautifully simple and accessible practice, grounded in the purifying nature of water. 

The core of the ritual is the casting of pebbles, or some other natural material such as leaves or flowers, into a natural body of water—breadcrumbs are traditional for Tashlich, but there is evidence that bread or other foods can be damaging to local wildlife. 

Casting into the water symbolizes the casting off of one’s sins; the moments in our lives during the past year in which we’ve missed the mark. 

This particular Tashlich focuses on individual and collective ways of living that no longer serve us or our planet. How do we continue to miss the mark in caring for ourselves, the earth, and all the ways we are connected? 

Feel free to do this Tashlich ritual with a friend or family member, or by yourself (just substitute “I” for “we” below). As you read each line, cast your stone, leaf, or other natural material into the water. Imagine that way of living floating away as the water carries it. 

We cast off the mindset of consumerism that drives extraction from the natural world.

We release our collective need to buy the next big fast fashion craze or tech gadget. 

We cast off our societal dependance on gas-powered vehicles and fossil fuels. 

We release our collective attachment to extravagant and unnecessary international travel. 

We cast off the societal mindset that prizes individualism and competition above all. 

Once you have finished casting, take a few moments to reflect on what you want to do differently. If you feel especially drawn to releasing your attachment to fast fashion, for instance, consider shopping from second-hand and thrift stores, or joining your local Buy Nothing group. Is there something else you’d like to shift in your life to support healing our planet? Feel free to name it.

Magnified and Sanctified are You,

Creator of oceanic depths,

Of skies festooned with stars,

Of fruit-bearing trees, 

And of birds that soar above the earth. 

May You establish Your Reign in our lifetime

And during our days, and within the life of all the world,

Speedily and soon, Amen. 

May the presence of the Steward of Creation,

You of more names than there are grains of sand

Across beaches and deserts,

Be blessed for all eternity. 

The One who makes Peace in the furthest reaches of Creation will bring Peace to us and to all living beings. And let us say: amen. 

Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu 

v’al kol-yisrael, v’al kol yoshvei tevel, v’imru: amen.

For many of us, the haMotzi, or blessing over bread, is one of the first blessings we learn. Each time we eat, our Jewish tradition offers us an opportunity to pause for a moment of gratitude. We recognize that nourishing our bodies is yet another moment for grace and gratitude. Before taking your first bite, take a brief moment to pause and say one of these blessings.

Before eating any kind of bread, say:

בָּרוּךְ‭ ‬אַתָּה‭ ‬יְיָ‭ ‬אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ‭ ‬מֶֽלֶךְ‭ ‬הָעוֹלָם ‬הַמּֽוֹצִיא‭ ‬לֶֽחֶם‭ ‬מִן‭ ‬הָאָֽרֶץ

Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam, hamotzi lekhem min ha-aretz.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Before eating anything made of wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt or rice, say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא מִינֵי מְזוֹנוֹת

  Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei minay mizonot

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who created various kinds of nourishment.

Before eating tree-grown fruits say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri ha'etz

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who created the fruit of the tree.

Before eating earth-grown produce (vegetables) say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, borei p'ri ha'adamah

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the earth.

Before eating meat, fish, milk, eggs, cheese, mushrooms, and before drinking all liquids except wine and grape juice, say:

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהוָֹה אֱלֺהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, שֶׁהַכֹּל נִהְיֶה בִּדְבָרוֹ:

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha’olam, she'ha'kol nihiyeh bid'varo

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by Whose word all things came to be.

After eating, here is a brief blessing, in Aramaic, to give thanks after your meal:

בריך רחמנא מלכא דעלמא מריה דהאי פיתא

Brich rachamana malka d’alma marei d’hai pita.

We are blessed with compassion by you, Infinite One, who sustains us with bread.

Adapted from the Babylonian Talmud (Brachot 40b)  

Sources: My Jewish Learning, Reform Judaism, OneTable and Sefaria (compiled)

Our Jewish tradition invites us to find moments of gratitude everywhere. From the mundane but powerful experiences of eating and of waking up each morning, to witnessing the wonders of nature, reaching milestones and surviving difficult moments - there’s a Jewish way to reflect.

The following clips are sourced from: My Jewish Learning, Reform Judaism, and Sefaria (compiled)

“If the only prayer you say throughout your life is “Thank You,” then that will be enough.”

• Elie Wiesel

“Whenever someone tells you that you’re supposed to hate the other - let your response be love. Only love.” 

• Rabbi Sarah Bassin 

“Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world.”

• Mary Oliver 

“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”

- Abraham Joshua Heschel