* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
“Shalom, Sivan. We will be celebrating Tu B’Shevat tonight and tomorrow. It was only as an adult that I discovered that what we learned in kindergarten about this holiday was fine but insufficient; it’s not just a lovely holiday for planting trees.
First of all, Tu B’Shevat is a date that has halachic significance. Many agricultural mitzvot— specifically regarding fruit-bearing trees— are connected to this day, which is designated in Jewish law as “Rosh Hashanah (the New Year) for the trees.”
There is a kabbalistic custom of holding a Tu B’Shevat Seder on this day. You don’t need to be a kabbalist to adopt this beautiful custom of eating fruit, thanking God for what we eat, and praising God for the bounty of the Land of Israel.
And there is yet another dimension to this day. The first recorded sin in the Torah is that of Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Today is our opportunity to atone for that sin: to partake of fruit on Tu B’Shevat with joy and holiness, to bless God for our food, and to sanctify the act of eating.
While we are constantly being bombarded by sensational headlines and disturbing news, Tu B’Shevat reminds us to focus on the three pillars of our existence: the Land of Israel, the People of Israel, and the Torah of Israel. This is the story of our people and the unbreakable bond that keeps growing stronger—along with the sweetness of our fruit. It is a day to pray for growth and development in all areas of our lives.”
May we merit to truly connect to the essence of this special day.
Happy Tu B’Shevat!
