"Shabbat Shalom, Earth!" (2nd day Rosh HaShanah, 5782 / 2021)
Shabbat Shalom!....... How embarrassing! I got you all to say ‘Shabbat Shalom’ even though as far as I know it’s Wednesday!! Actually, this happens all the time. Raise your hand if you have ever mistakenly said ‘Shabbat Shalom’ to someone when it wasn’t Shabbat. I bet this is especially likely to happen in the synagogue - where many of us are here so frequently on Shabbat that it just seems natural to say Shabbat Shalom when we’re here. (And being here more often than most, I am a prime offender.) Well I have some good news for you: Today, you’re entitled to say Shabbat Shalom even though it’s Wednesday. And in fact, every day for this entire year of 5782 you are entitled to say Shabbat Shalom -- (though truly, most people don’t). Because Jewish tradition defines this entire year that started yesterday as a Shabbat La-Aretz - a Shabbat for the land. We are beginning what the Torah describes as a Shnat Shmitah - often referred to as a sabbatical year. This Sabbatical Year