I have created an environmental unetaneh tokef for this year by changing some of the words of the folk song "Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing" followed by some the words of the last section of the unetaneh tokef prayer.
Shana Tova
michael
A word of Torah:
Environmental U-netaneh Tokef
By Rabbi Michael Strassfeld
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
People have picked them everyone.
Oh, When will we ever learn?
Oh, When will I ever learn?
Where have all the birds gone
Long time passing.
Where have all the birds gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the birds gone?
Silent spring for everyone.
Oh, When will we ever learn?
Oh, When will I ever learn?
Where have all the summers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the summers gone?
Here a minute ago.
Where have all the summers gone?
Turned to ovens everyone.
Oh, When will we ever learn?
Oh, When will I ever learn?
Where has all the truth gone?
Long time passing.
Where has all the science gone?
Long time ago.
Where has our future gone?
Gone to graveyards under the sun.
Oh, When will we ever learn?
Oh, When will I ever learn?
Adapted from Where have all the flowers by Pete Seeger with new lyrics
Who shall live and who shall die:
mi-va-esh Who by ferocious fires
umi-va-mayim Who by melting glaciers
mi va-herev Who by conflicts over diminishing resources
u-mi va-hayah Who by invasive species
mi va-ra’av Who by hunger as land becomes barren
u-mi va-tzamah Who by thirst in blazing heat
mi va-ra’ash Who by hurricanes?
mi-va-magafah Who by the spread of virulent diseases
And teshuvah, and tefillah and tzedakah will not avert the severity of the decree Only action will.
Kavvanah/intention:
This week's song suggests that we bring with us words or things that can help us engage successfully in the process of Teshuva. What ideas, practices, reframing of how we think about our behavior, can lead us to be more like the person we envision we can be?
Song
K'hu imakheim devarim ve-shuvu el Adonai
Take with you words and return to God.
Hosea 14: 3
