Dear Sons and Daughters,
I am happy to hear about your upcoming Tu B'Shevat celebration. I am pleased that you will be taking some time to think about the fruit, trees, and me, your Mother Earth.
But before you plant your tree in Israel, or eat the special fruits for which Israel is known, or even before you go into your local gourmet, organic produce emporium to buy novel or "nouveau" fruit, I must have a few words with you.
It may sound a bit harsh, even a little earthy, but that's me, you know. I call a spade a spade.
You've become too reckless and selfish, and it's getting worse. You treat me like dirt! Who on earth do you think you are? You bury me with your garbage! You spill gook all over the place! You smoke like a chimney! You make me sick, and ruin my plants! You tear my kishkes inside out with your digging and poking around all over the place to build bigger cement monstrosities! You litter, leave behind a mess and spread your things all over creation.
Why do I always have to clean up after you? Pick up after yourself!
And don't fool me by tidying up just a little corner or sweeping your mess under the rug! I mean, it's a pleasure to see signs on highways these days that say, "The next mile is being kept litter free through the generosity of..." but that's not enough! Go and clean up the whole living space, if you know what's good for you, and your children, and your children's children.
Is it enough to remember me only on Tu B'Shevat or Earth Day? You can't think of Mom only on Mother's Day, you know, and forget about her the rest of the year!
Here I am, feeling like I have the whole world on my shoulders, working full-time to provide for you. What don't I do for you? I give you clothes and shelter. I prepare your food from scratch. I give you something to stand on. I don't even mind your walking all over me.
But don't bite the land that feeds you! This isn't the way to say, "Thank you." I'm not asking you to stop everything. Adam was given the earth to work it, but was also commanded to watch it. Learn from Adam; be a little neater, and more considerate of others.
Dear children of mine, eat a little something. Take an apple, or have an orange. And say your blessing loud and clear before you eat. And just as importantly, listen to what you're saying and count your blessings!
Your "Middle Earth" stuff isn't all of it. I am looking forward to the Whole Earth, and not just a catalog, as it is written, "And the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of Gād as the waters cover the sea," with the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, ASAP.
Your Dear Mother Earth
