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Rebekah Saltzman
Rabbi Berel Wein R ebekah Saltzman
Tu BiShvat

Keeping it

Clean!

e
hing
wer t
u BiShvat – the New Year for When we have fewer things, we end up
When we ha
ve f
s
, we end up
spending less time taking care of those
Trees – is the perfect time to sp ending le ss time t ak ing c ar e of t ho s e
Tcelebrate and be reminded that things. We spend less time cleaning our
s
hing
t
. W
aning our
end le
ss time c
le
e sp
part of our purpose here is to respect home, le ss time lo ok ing f or obj e c t s we
home, less time looking for objects we
and protect the earth. G-d lends us the need. We are able to spend more time
need. We are able to spend more time
earth – and all our possessions – so w it h t he p e ople we love, doing ac tiv itie s
with the people we love, doing activities
we can use them correctly and care for we love.
them. Our clothing, furniture, cars,
homes, the things we buy, are all just By decluttering, we benefit ourselves
t
er
lut
By de
c
ing
e
lve
s
, we b
enef
it ours
s
, you ar
e
hing
he
s
e t
When you do t
a loan. and the earth. Here are some ways you When you do these things, you are
ar
a
er
t
h. H
y
s you
and t
he e
ome w
e s
e ar
Since all of these things are just a loan, can help the earth by organizing and expressing thanks to the G-d you honor
we are expected to return them the way decluttering your home: and respect for what He has given you.
we found them. One way we do this is What better way to celebrate the New
by not wasting the precious resources Year for Trees than to tell them, ‘I agree
G-d gave us. Bal tashchit, the prohibi- to protect you by using what I have to
tion of wasting, seems to specifically Donate things you aren’t using! its fullest and pass on what I no longer
apply to fruit-bearing trees during times Help others who might need need to someone who does need it.’
of war. But Sefer HaChinuch says we those items, and reduce pollution
shouldn’t waste even something as and manufacture of new items. As a personal organizer, I help people
small as a mustard seed. The Rambam Recycle or upcycle. When you let go of their old possessions, thereby
says whoever breaks vessels, tears gar- reuse things that have come to the curating their best collection of belong-
ments, destroys a building, blocks a ings and creating a cleaner, more orga-
well or spring of water, or destructively end of their lives, you help reduce nized house. If you need help declut-
wastes food, transgress the command- pollution caused by waste and
ment of bal tashchit. help preserve natural resources. tering and organizing, join me for my
For example, recycling old paper 36-day pre-Pesach decluttering chal-
Many of us are not satisfied with what to be made into new paper or lenge to make cleaning for Pesach easier
we have on loan. We want more. In pur- cutting up a torn shirt to be used and less stressful.
suit of more stuff, we not only damage as rags instead of paper towels.
the earth we are supposed to be caring During COVID, we’ve been spending
for, we damage ourselves. What you can’t donate or a lot more time in our homes. Let’s
recycle, throw out. You’ll create declutter so we can enjoy them to the
How so? When we buy, buy, buy, with space in your home for the
no intention or purpose, we have a things you need, which enables fullest!
house full of stuff. So much, we can’t you to find what you need when Rebekah Saltzman holds a degree in Fash-
find what we need when we need it. So you need it. You’ll minimize the ion Design from Parson School of Design,
we go out and buy the same items again, and has been helping people declutter,
and our house becomes even more clut- time you spend searching for the organize their homes and reduce their waste
tered and disorganized. It becomes a things you are looking for, and through her personal organization company
problem not just of disorganization you won’t spare yourself from Balagan Begone. The website is www.Bal-
and spending but also a violation of buying an item you already have aganBeGone.com and can be followed on
bal tashchit – what a waste of precious because you thought you’d lost it. the Facebook group Organizing in Israel and
resources! on Instagram @balaganbegone. Her weekly
Shop efficiently. Bring a list with podcast, Journey to Organization, discusses
What people don’t realize is that often you when you go shopping, and decluttering and waste reduction. To join the
having less means having more. only buy things you need. 36-day challenge, go to http://bit.ly/BBG36.
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