Shalom,
On Wednesday we are going to celebrate Tu Bishvat, a relatively unknown holiday that is named for the date on which it occurs; the 15th of Shvat. It is also called "The New Year of the Trees" and it is one of four "New Years" mentioned in the Mishnah.
The customs of Tu Bishvat revolve around trees, produce of the land, and agriculture, so it made sense that the holiday became associated with nature in general. In recent years this holiday was embraced by environmentalists and "green" organizations, so new traditions arose about the variety of activities that commemorate the holiday.
When we say nature and Judaism, immediately many think of Chassidism. It does seem that Chassidism, especially in its early form, was and perhaps still is connected, at least philosophically, to nature. When we talk about the Chassidic movement we speak about its founder, the Baal Shem Tov, or by the acronym of his name, the Besht. The title Baal Shem Tov is usually translated as Master of the Good Name, or Good Master of the Name, or simply as one who has a good reputation in the community. He was born on May 22, 1760, in a small village that was part of Poland, then Russia, and is now part of Ukraine.
Little biographical information is known about Besht, and much of it is interwoven with legends and stories of miracles. It is difficult to arrive at the historical facts. Nevertheless, from the numerous legends connected with his birth it appears that his parents were poor, upright, and pious. When he was orphaned, his community cared for him. At school, he distinguished himself only by his frequent disappearances, being always found in the lonely woods surrounding the place, rapturously enjoying the beauties of nature.
In his childhood, the Besht used to spend much of his time alone in the woods where he "learned to hear the voice of God" through everything that was around him. He lived in a hidden cave and bathed in the stream of a river nearby. Every time he left the cave he closely observed nature: rocks, trees, insects, animals and "saw God's power". The moon and the stars seemed to him as if they were "standing in prayer to God, thanking Him for being created and for their role."
The Book of Psalms contains many descriptions of nature. These particular chapters had a special meaning to the Besht, and he used these verses to pour out his heart before God. He declared the whole universe, mind and matter, to be a manifestation of God; for nothing can be separated from God: all things are rather forms in which God reveals Himself. When man speaks, said the Besht, he should remember that his speech is an element of life, and that life itself is a manifestation of God. The philosophy of the Besht indicated that nature is the creation of God, thus a revelation of God's power. It is only when man recognizes that in all nature; the ultimate goal is recognizing God.
The great masters of Chassidism recognized that the wonders of creation and the beauties of nature were all works of God, as expressed in the writings of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.
Rabbi Nachman lived in a village where he learned to listen to the "voices of nature;" the grass whispering, the singing of the birds and the sounds of the trees blowing in the wind. In all these he saw the power of God. In his writing, he made a complete identification between nature and its manifestation as an expression of God.
Many Chassidic masters went on Hitbodedut, (an experience of being alone in nature) and wrote about the benefits of being secluded in nature and praying alone in the wilderness. Even today Hitbodedut is a practice many Chassidim do from time to time.
I will never forget a few years ago we conducted a mincha service at the home of Harry and Barbara Webski. It was a beautiful day and I suggested we should go outside by the trees and the water. It was just before sunset and it was magical.
Rabbi Nachman also wrote a prayer: "Master of the Universe, give me enough strength so I can go out to the field, the trees and the grass... and every bush and blade of grass and tree and plant shall all wake up and give life to my prayer so my prayer will be perfect and pure."
You don't need to run away to the wilderness in order to enjoy nature; you can also open your window. The question is, what do you experience when you do?
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Tu Bishvat
Cantor Arik Wollheim
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