A Tu Bi’Shevat Seder

Introduction

Greeter:

Welcome. Tu Bi’Shevat is the Jewish New Year of the Trees. By way of introduction, let’s connect ourselves to our own family tree.

Hinei Ma Tov

הִנֵּה מַה-טּוֹב וּמַה-נָּעִים שֶֽׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם-יָֽחַד

Hi-nei ma tov u’ma na-im
she-vet a-khi-yot gam ya-khad.

How good and pleasant it is for
sisters to dwell together in unity.

In the Hebrew numerical system, the letters “tet” and “vav“, (which can be pronounced together as “tu“) represent the numbers, nine and six, respectively, for a total of 15. Therefore “Tu b’Shevat” is the 15th day of the month of Shevat.

Tu Bi’Shevat was the date set for the tithing of fruit, and the date defining the end of the fruit crop of the previous year.

Tu Bi’Shevat is one of four new years in the Jewish calendar. The others are: the first of Nissan for counting the reigns of kings and the three festivals; the first of Elul for the tithing of animals, and the first of Tishrei for the judgment of mankind, the tithing of grain, and the counting of shmitah.

Together:

Tonight, in this Tu Bi’Shevat sederLit. Order. The festive meal conducted on Passover night, in a specific order with specific rituals to symbolize aspects of the Exodus from Egypt. It is conducted following the haggadah, a book for this purpose. The mystics of Sefat also created a seder for Tu B'shvat, the new year of the trees., as in the PassoverPassover is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Jewish people's liberation from slavery and Exodus from Egypt. Its Hebrew name is Pesakh. Its name derives from the tenth plague, in which God "passed over" the homes of the Jewish firstborn, slaying only the Egyptian firstborn. Passover is celebrated for a week, and many diaspora Jews celebrate for eight days. The holiday begins at home at a seder meal and ritual the first (and sometimes second) night. Jews tell the story of the Exodus using a text called the haggadah, and eat specific food (matzah, maror, haroset, etc). seder, we will drink four cups of wine, ask four questions, and sample special foods related to the festival.

1. Why do we celebrate the New Year of the Trees in the middle of winter?

In IsraelLit. ''the one who struggles with God.'' Israel means many things. It is first used with reference to Jacob, whose name is changed to Israel (Genesis 32:29), the one who struggles with God. Jacob's children, the Jewish people, become B'nai Israel, the children of Israel. The name also refers to the land of Israel and the State of Israel., winter is usually a time of heavy rains and rushing, surging creeks and rivulets. At about the middle of the month of Shevat, the severe rainstorms cease, and soon thereafter, signs of spring begin to appear. Although two more months of winter remain, buds begin to swell on the trees, the enduring symbol of God’s promise of renewed life.

The ancient New Year of the Trees, or Rosh HashanahThe Jewish New Year, also considered the Day of Judgment. The period of the High Holidays is a time of introspection and atonement. The holiday is celebrated with the sounding of the shofar, lengthy prayers in synagogue, the eating of apples and honey, and round challah for a sweet and whole year. Tashlikh, casting bread on the water to symbolize the washing away of sins, also takes place on Rosh Hashana. L’ilanot, was thought to be sacred to the women of Israel. It celebrated the New Year of God’s female aspect, the ShekhinahThe feminine name of God, expounded upon in the rabbinic era and then by the Kabbalists in extensive literature on the feminine attributes of the divine..

According to some traditions, Noah’s Ark landed in the month of Shevat, and the dove (a long-established Near Eastern symbol of God’s feminine qualities), returned to the Ark with an olive branch in her beak. She heralds new life and the promise of a world that will once again bloom and provide nurture, as God promises never again to destroy all living creatures (Genesis 8:21)

2. What is the significance of Tu Bi’Shevat in our time?

In Israel, since the beginning of agricultural settlements in the late 19th century, the New Year of the Trees has acquired great significance, symbolizing the revival and redemption of the land. Tu Bi’Shevat is celebrated with songs, and trees are planted to honor or memorialize loved ones.

Tu Bi’Shevat has also become a day of commitment to protecting the environment. Judaism teaches that the earth is the Creator’s, and that we are to be partners and co-workers with God in preserving our planet and its resources.

An ancient midrashA rabbinic method of interpreting text, often through the telling of stories. has become all too relevant today:

In the hour when the Holy One created the first person, God showed His creation the trees in the Garden of Eden, and said:

“See My works, how fine they are; now all that I have created, I created for your benefit. Think upon this and do not corrupt and destroy My world. For if you destroy it, there is no one to restore it after you.” (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:28)

Another image connected to the story of the Garden of Eden is the Tree of Life. The siddurLit. Order of prayers. The prayer book. compares the TorahThe Five Books of Moses, and the foundation of all of Jewish life and lore. The Torah is considered the heart and soul of the Jewish people, and study of the Torah is a high mitzvah. The Torah itself a scroll that is hand lettered on parchment, elaborately dressed and decorated, and stored in a decorative ark. It is chanted aloud on Mondays, Thursdays, and Shabbat, according to a yearly cycle. Sometimes "Torah" is used as a colloquial term for Jewish learning and narrative in general. to a tree, Etz Chayim. Just as we take sustenance from a tree, so our way of life sustains us in strength and beauty.

The 16th-century mystics of Safed understood the emanations of God in the form of an inverted Tree, whose roots (above) are invisible and inexplicable to us and whose trunk and branches reach (down) toward us. Through this Tree there courses the ultimate flow of universal life. It originates in the unimaginable Ein Sof or Infinite One, and becomes progressively more in touch with our world, in which creation is continually taking place.

The New Year of the Trees is regarded as a holy time. By saying blessings and partaking of many kinds of fruits, we have the opportunity to thank God for the wonder of renewed life, and to reawaken our own spiritual connections. In addition, we honor the land of Israel by enjoying her fruits, especially those of the seven species: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.

3. Why do we drink four cups of wine tonight?

We will drink four cups of wine of different colors during the course of our Seder. The colors symbolically take us through the seasons and the colors of the year; from winter whites to a touch of spring red, from rosy summer to the full redness of autumn.

Our first cup of wine is white, symbolizing winter. As we drink it, we recall that nature has been dormant for many months, awaiting the warmth of spring and its annual renewal of life.

(Pour yourself a glass of white wine or grape juice)

As we raise the glass of wine in our hands, we bless God by reciting an alternative kiddushThe prayer recited over wine on Shabbat, holidays, and other joyous occasions.:

  נְבָרֵךְ אֵת אַיִן הַחַיִּים מַצְמִיחַת פְּרִי הַגֶּפֶן וְנִישׁזוֹר אֶתְ שריגי חָיִינוּ בְּמָסֹרֶת הָעָם

N’varekh et ayin hachayim
matzmichat p’ri hagafen
V’nishzor et s’rigai chayeynu
b’masoret ha’am

Let us bless the Source of Life
that ripens fruit on the vines,
As we weave the branches of our lives
into the tradition of the Jewish people.

4. Why do we eat different groups of fruit tonight?

We eat different fruits to honor the Four Worlds in which we live simultaneously;

The first is Assiyah, or Action, the physical world around us.
The second is Yetzirah, or Formation, the world of feelings and emotions.
The third is B’riyah, or Creation, the world of knowing, and the mind.
The fourth is Atzilut, or Emanation, the world of spirituality.

For Assiyah (earth, action), we eat nuts and fruits with a tough skin to remind us of the protection the earth gives. Through this act we acknowledge that we need protection in life, both physical and emotional.

Fruits in this group, which are inedible on the outside, but edible on the inside include: pomegranate, nuts, citrus fruits, and coconuts.

Thought: Some people are hard to know, but once their outer layer is peeled away, you are rewarded.

(Pass around a fruit from this group – before we taste the fruit, we recite the b’racha)

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שֶׁחִינָּהּ בּוּרַת פְּרִי הָאֵץ

B’rukha at Shekhinah
Boreit p’ri ha’etz.

Blessed are You, Divine Presence,
Who creates the fruit of the tree.

In Hebrew, the almond tree is called sha-ked, meaning “to watch, wake,” because it blooms in winter and is thus the first fruit tree to bloom in the new agricultural year.

The shape of the menorahThe seeven-branched menorah stood in the Temple, and many present-day synagogues feature the menorah. Titus' arch depicts the Romans' sacking of the Temple and theft of the menorah. A nine-branched menorah called a Hanukkiyah is lit on Hanukkah to symbolize the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days., which is a universally recognized symbol for Judaism, is based on the silhouette of the almond tree.

(Distribute almonds – the b’rakha from the first fruit covers the almonds as well)

Ha’shkediyah

The almond tree is growing,
A golden sun is glowing;
The birds sing out in joyous glee
From every roof and every tree.

Tu Bi’Shevat is here  –  the Jewish Arbor Day
Hail the trees’ New Year  –  Happy Holiday!

Songs of Songs

Come with me, my love, come away.
For the long wet months are past,
and rains have fed the earth and left it bright with blossoms
Birds wing in the low sky, dove and songbird singing in the open air above.
Earth nourishing tree and vine,
green fig and tender grape, green and tender fragrance.
Come with me, my love, come away.

 – Free Translation by Marcia Falk, “Love Lyrics from the Bible”, Poem 9

Mother Earth, Well Worn, Sun Washed

Mother earth, well worn, sun washed
Both slave and mistress am I beloved
Out of me, the humble and dejected
You grow, you push your roots through me
And like the blazing stars, like the flame of the sun
In long blind silences I run
Through your roots, in your branches
And half awake and half in a dream I see the sky through you.

By Anna Margolin, translated by Adrienne Cooper from Sarah’s Daughter’s Sing

(Fill the second cup with white wine plus a few drops of red)

We now raise our cups and prepare to recite kiddush over our second cup of wine.

Our second cup of wine is white but tinged with red. The mixture of colors symbolizes the beginning of spring and the reawakening of the earth. In Israel, pink and white flowers dot the hills and mountains at this season. As we drink the wine, let us think of one special hope or wish we have for the coming spring.

We say the b’rakha together:

  נְבָרֵךְ אֵת אַיִן הַחַיִּים מַצְמִיחַת פְּרִי הַגֶּפֶן וְנִישׁזוֹר אֶתְ שריגי חָיִינוּ בְּמָסֹרֶת הָעָם

N’varekh et ayin hachayim
matzmichat p’ri hagafen
V’nishzor et s’rigai chayeynu
b’masoret ha’am

Let us bless the Source of life
that ripens fruit on the vines,
As we weave the branches of our lives
into the tradition of the Jewish people.

For Yetzirah (heart, formation), we eat fruits with a tough inner core. Through this act we acknowledge the need to fortify our hearts. With a strong heart and a pure vision, our lives grow richer and deeper.

Fruits of this group, which are edible on the outside with a hard inner pit include: dates, olives, cherries, peaches and avocados.

We set out this bowl of dates in honor of Tamar, which means “date palm tree” in Hebrew.

All we know of the story of Tamar is in Genesis 38. Tamar in the daughter-in-law of Judah, founder of one of the twelve tribes. She is trying to follow the ancient Israeli laws of levirate marriage. When her husband dies, Tamar marries his younger brother – a custom that will enable her to produce an heir to continue her first husband’s name. But when her second husband dies, the suspicious Judah refuses to give his only remaining son to her. He fears that Tamar has caused the deaths of his two other sons. Tamar therefore resorts to disguise and trickery, seducing Judah in order to bear a child. When Judah discovers the truth, he praises Tamar for her determination. From their offspring will descend the Messiah.

The tree metaphor may be the best clue to the connection between Tamar’s story and her name. Like the date tree which bears her name, Tamar had to reach deep down within herself to draw up the sustaining force which would make her fruits grow. As the tree draws up water, Tamar drew up an inner strength that was able to sustain her and that will sustain future generations.

May we know the sweetness in this fruit which comes from the tamar and the earth.

(Pass around the bowl of dates – and say together:)

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שֶׁחִינָּהּ בּוּרַת פְּרִי הָאֵץ

B’rukha at Shekhinah
Boreit  p’ri ha’etz.

Blessed are You, Divine Presence,
Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Tzadik katamar yifrach, ke-erez bal’vanon yisgeh.
Shetulim b’veit adonai, B’chatzrot elohenu yafrichu.
Od yenuvun besayvah, Deshaynim va-ra’ananim yihiyu,
Lehagid ki yashar Adonai, Tzuri ve-lo avlatah bo.

The righteous bloom like a date palm, they thrive like a cedar in Lebanon; Planted in the house of the Lord, they flourish in the courts of God.
In old age they still produce fruit; they are full of sap and freshness,
Attesting that the Lord is upright, my rock, in whom there is no wrong.

(Pass olives– the previous b’rakha covers the olives as well)

Yetzirah, is the world of formation and birth. Its symbol is water, which gives shape to all matter. From water, the heart pours forth blessing and emotion.

In summer, when fruits and vegetables are abundant, we are reminded of the richness of life. For our third cup we drink red wine with a splash of white.

(Pour a glass of red wine, and add just a little white wine)

We now raise our cups and prepare to recite kiddush over our third cup of wine.

  נְבָרֵךְ אֵת אַיִן הַחַיִּים מַצְמִיחַת פְּרִי הַגֶּפֶן וְנִישׁזוֹר אֶתְ שריגי חָיִינוּ בְּמָסֹרֶת הָעָם

N’varekh et ayin hachayim
matzmichat p’ri hagafen
V’nishzor et s’rigai chayeynu
b’masoret ha’am

Let us bless the Source of life
that ripens fruit on the vines,
As we weave the branches of our lives
into the tradition of the Jewish people.

For B’riyah (air, mind, creation), we eat fruits that are completely edible. In this world, where God’s protection is close at hand, we can let go of all barriers and try on freedom. As co-creators with God, each of our thoughts becomes action.

Fruits in this group include: figs, carob, grapes, berries, apples and pears.

THOUGHT: in what ways do we create the reality of our lives?

Rabbi Chiyya ben AbbaFather said in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: Whoever keeps the fig tree shall eat of its fruit. The fruit of the fig tree does not ripen all at once. The more one searches, the more figs one finds in it. So it is with the words of the Torah. The more one studies them, the more relish one finds in them. (Eruvin 54, a,b)

(Distribute the figs. Before we taste the fruit, we recite the brakha)

בְּרוּכָה אַתְּ שֶׁחִינָּהּ בּוּרַת פְּרִי הָאֵץ

B’rukha at Shekhinah
Boreit p’ri ha’etz.

Blessed are You, Divine Presence,
Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Air is the stuff hopes and dreams are made of.
Air is the world, manifesting as the world. Close your eyes and take a breath…
As you inhale, know you are being breathed by the earth.
Let the breath out and visualize your next step,
To beautify the Garden.

HONI AND THE CAROB TREE

A long time ago, Honi, the Circle-Drawer, walked in the land of Israel, when he met a man planting a carob tree with his grandchild.

“Old man,” chided Honi, “don’t you know you’ll never live to eat the fruits of this tree?” “I know that, but my grandchild will. As my grandfather planted for me, so I shall plant for her”.

But Honi was not satisfied with this reply, even as he rested on the earth. He slept and slept for many years, and when he awoke he had a long white beard. He was amazed. He saw an old woman picking fruit from a tree nearby to give to a young child with her.

“Is that your fruit tree?” he asked.

“It is mine because my grandfather planted it for me. I tend it so that my grandson can have it also. We have already taken from this tree seeds to plant another one.”

It was then Honi remembered what the old man had said to him long ago. He understood that God was giving him a lesson in planting not only for oneself but for generations to come.

(Distribute carob – the previous Brakha covers the carob as well)

If it is the first time you have eaten carob in over a year, recite the Shehecheyanu:

נְבָרֵךְ אֶת מַעַן חָיִינוּ שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לַזְּמָן הַזֶּה

N’varekh et ma’yan chai’yenu Shehecheyanu, v’kimanu v’higianu lazman hazeh.

Let us bless the flow of life that revives us, sustains us and brings us to this joyous moment, this holy time.

The last cup, completely red, symbolizes the glow of autumn. The crops are ready, and the leaves are full of color. Plants are preparing seed for the next cycle of nature.

It is the time of Rosh Hashanah and Yom KippurThe holiest day of the Jewish year and the culmination of a season of self-reflection. Jews fast, abstain from other worldly pleasures, and gather in prayers that last throughout the day. Following Ne'ilah, the final prayers, during which Jews envision the Gates of Repentance closing, the shofar is sounded in one long blast to conclude the holy day. It is customary to begin building one's sukkah as soon as the day ends. – a time to take stock of ourselves. It is the time of SukkotLit. Booths or huts Sukkot is the autumn harvest Festival of Booths, is celebrated starting the 15th of the Jewish month of Tishrei. Jews build booths (sukkot), symbolic of the temporary shelters used by the ancient Israelites when they wandered in the desert. Traditionally, Jews eat and sleep in the sukkah for the duration of the holiday (seven days in Israel and eight outside of Israel). The lulav (palm frond), willow, myrtle, and etrog fruit are also waved together. and the celebration of the harvest. What goals do we plan as Jewish women? In what directions do we want to grow during the new year?

We recite the kiddush for the fourth cup of wine:

  נְבָרֵךְ אֵת אַיִן הַחַיִּים מַצְמִיחַת פְּרִי הַגֶּפֶן וְנִישׁזוֹר אֶתְ שריגי חָיִינוּ בְּמָסֹרֶת הָעָם

N’varekh et ayin hachayim
matzmichat p’ri hagafen
V’nishzor et s’rigai chayeynu
b’masoret ha’am

Let us bless the Source of life
that ripens fruit on the vines,
As we weave the branches of our lives
into the tradition of the Jewish people.

The world of Atzilut (fire, spirit) is the ethereal world of emanation. It is a purely spiritual idea, and thus, we do not eat any fruit for this world.

There’s a fire alive, within every living cell of every being.
The carbons we eat burn in the presence of
the oxygen we breath, giving us the energy to be.
This spark of light is our connection to the Divine.

Just as the natural world goes through changes to achieve its full potential, we also need to change so that we can be free to grow. In doing so, we will become strong like healthy trees, with solid roots in the ground and our arms open to the love that is all around us.

THOUGHT: who or what in your life, gives you roots, and gives you structure, so that you are free to grow?

By Rabbi Nachman of Bratzlav

REFERENCES

1. Miriam’s Well, by Penina Adelman.
2. The Seasons of Our Joy, by Arthur Waskow.
3. HERitage and HIStory, a WUJS Pulication.
4. The Rosh ChodeshThe new moon, which marks the beginning of the Jewish month. According to tradition, because women did not participate in the sin of the golden calf, they were given the holiday of Rosh Chodesh. It is customary for women not to work on Rosh Chodesh. Table, by JudithJudith saved her people by seducing Holofernes, the enemy general, and then decapitating him. The story of Judith, found in the apocrypha, is associated with Chanukah (relating to the tradition of eating cheese dishes because she seduced the general and fed him dairy). Her Hebrew name is Yehudit. Y. Solomon.
5. The Lexington Havura Songsheet.
6. The Trees Birthday: A Celebration of Nature, Ellen Bernstein.