Rosh Hashannah - Environmental Concerns About Tashlich and More Approaches To Tashlich

I stumbled on this today - from 2002 but completely relevant to right now:



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September 1, 2002 / 24 Elul 5762


To the Editor,

As Rosh Hashanna approaches, many of us look forward to Tashlich. Customarily, people gather by the water's edge, recite a passage from the prophet Micha and throw bread crumbs or other matter into the water, to symbolize the casting away of sins. While this custom may seem harmless, it in fact presents a number of problems with Jewish teachings as well as potential environmental concerns. Adam va-Adamah Environmental Society(www.av-a.org), regional affiliate of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, urges the community to reconsider its Tashlich practices.
The potential Jewish problems with throwing bread on Tashlich include the following:

� Prohibition against trapping (baiting) wild animals on Yom Tovim (Holydays)

� Concern over superstition; people may think they can literally castaway sins

� Prohibition against waste (Bal Tashchit)

One of the first mentions of Tashlich as we now know it appears in the book Sefer Marharil. The Marharil was a noted rabbi who lived in Germany and Austria in the 14th-15th centuries. According to a verse from Micha, we cast our sins into the sea, so we read this verse on Tashlich. Jews also go to the sea during Rosh Hashanah to remember the Akeda (the binding of Isaac).
Why do we recall the Akeda on Tashlich? According to Midrash, during Abraham's three-day journey to sacrifice his son, Isaac, on Mount Moriah he encountered Satan, representing the yetzer hara (evil inclination). Satan tried to convince Abraham not to sacrifice his son. According to our tradition, the yetzer hara can use seemingly rational, reasonable arguments to lead us astray. Despite Satan's efforts, Abraham remained steadfast. Satan then turned himself into a river, causing an obstacle for Abraham's journey. Undaunted, Abraham forded the river up to his neck. Hashem then stepped in and rebuked Satan. Thus flowing water reminds us Abraham's unshakable faith.
While we do recall the Akeda during Tashlich, The Maharil says it is a desecration of the Yom Tov to throw food to the fish. Why? Because according to the Babylonian Talmud, it is prohibited to trap a fish from a large contained holding area on Shabbat and on Yom Tovim. The midrash goes on to say that you may not feed any wild, untrapped animals on Yom Tovim.
The Tosafots (students of Rashi) explain that feeding wild animals is the usual way to trap them (the use of bait). Trapping is prohibited on Shabbat and Yom Tovim. This injunction represents one of the many "fences" in Judaism erected to prevent us from slipping into violating Halacha (Jewish law).
In addition, the Rema (Rabbi Moses Iserles) raised concerns about the aspect of superstition of casting away sins people may take it literally and neglect the important work of teshuva (repentance). For this reason, sources say, the Vilna Goan didn't follow the practice of Tashlich.
In addition to the Jewish problems with throwing bread, the potential environmental issues presented by this practice include the following:
� Organic matter like bread can rot and reduce the oxygen content of the water, making it hard for fish and other life to breath

� Young birds do not have gravel in their crop (unlike adults) and bread can become compacted in their crop, leading to death

� Organic matter like bread can collect into debris jams, blocking water flow and causing an unsightly mess

It seems ironic that in the process of expiating our sins, we can cause harm to living creatures, create pollution and go against Jewish tradition.

An alternative practice would be to go the water's edge, since in ancient times, kings were crowned on the riverbank. The flowing water thus reminds us of the majesty of life, of Hashem, and of all creation. We then recite the appropriate passage from Micha, available in most prayer books. And then,with proper kavannah (intention) we can shake the dust from our clothes(metaphorical or real dust!). In this way, we can still enjoy his wonderful minhag, respect the wisdom of our sages and avoid harming Hashem's creation.
May we all have a joyous and meaningful Rosh Hashana!
Sincerely,

Steve Lipari
Chair
Adam va-Adamah Environmental Society
Vancouver, BC
steve_lipari@yahoo.ca

http://www.av-a.org/TashlichLet0263.htm