This is an archive of prayers and ritual activities prepared for, or relevant to, Rosh haShanah la-Behemah, the Jewish New Year's Day for [primarily, Domesticated] Animals (Behemot), celebrated on Alef b'Elul, the first day of the month of Elul in the Jewish calendar. The day is one of the four New Year's day festivals (Rosh Hashanot) in the Jewish calendar as explained in the Mishnah (Seder Moed Rosh Hashanah 1:1). During the Second Temple period, this was a day on which shepherds determined which of their mature animals were to be tithed for offerings. The day coincides with Rosh Ḥodesh Elul, exactly one month before Rosh Hashanah. Beginning in 2009, the festival began to be revived by Jewish animal protection advocates and environmental educators to raise awareness of the mitsvah of tsar baalei ḥayim (obligating not causing undue suffering of any living creature), the source texts informing Jewish ethical relationships with domesticated animals, and the lived experience of animals impacted by human needs, especially in the industrial meat industry. Click here to contribute your own prayers, song, or resource for an activity or ritual for Rosh haShanah la-Behemah! Filter resources by Name Filter resources by Tag Filter resources by Category Filter resources by Language Filter resources by Date Range
A prayer for Sukkot linking the theme of home building and receiving Torah with a warning not to eat animals and to extend ones compassion to all creatures. Categories: Tags: 19th century C.E., 56th century A.M., animal welfare, animals, anti-predatory, being human, Breslov, domesticated animals, חסידי ברצלב Ḥasidei Bratslav (Breslov), Likutei Tefilot, menschlekite Contributor(s): Categories: Tags: Contributor(s): Once upon a time when the Temple still stood, the Rosh haShanah la-Behemah celebrated one means by which we elevated and esteemed the special creatures that helped us to live and to work. Just as rabbinic Judaism found new ways to realize our Temple offerings with tefillot — prayers — so too the Rosh haShanah la-Behemah challenges us to realize the holiness of the animals in our care in a time without tithes. The Jewish New Year’s Day for Animals is a challenge to remind and rediscover what our responsibilities are to the animals who depend on us for their welfare. Are we treating them correctly and in accord with the mitsvah of tsa’ar baalei ḥayyim — sensitivity to the suffering of living creatures? Have we studied and understood the depth of ḥesed — lovingkindness — expressed in the breadth of our ancestors teachings concerning the welfare of animals in Torah?haShanah la-Behemah is the day to reflect on our immediate or mediated relationships with domesticated animals, recognize our personal responsibilities to them, individually and as part of a distinct and holy people, and repair our relationships to the best of our ability. Categories: Tags: Contributor(s): Categories: Tags: Contributor(s): An ofan — a liturgical prayer to be inserted into the Shaḥarit qedusha d-yotzer — for the first of Elul, the new year for animals. Not as of yet part of a cycle but who knows, maybe a few other parts will be written in days to come! Categories: Tags: 21st century C.E., 58th century A.M., Alef b'Elul, alphabetic mesostic, animals, behemah, בהמות behemot, ofanim, פיוטים piyyuṭim, Rosh Hashanah L'Baalei Ḥayyim, יוצרות yotsrot Contributor(s): |
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