Tu B'Shvat or the New Year of the Trees is an agricultural-related holiday with a heavy kabbalistic symbolism. For me, it is one of the most beloved holidays because it announces that the winter will finish soon, but also for the hard work of every year for finding that new special fruit (still not found what I am looking for this year).
There are a lot of customs associated to this holiday, some of them introduced recently or after the creation of the state:
- On this occasion, children are planting trees or money is collected for planting trees in Israel.
- It is preceded by Shabbat Shira, when it is assumed that the birds are returning from the warm lands. Seeds are left for the birds on this occasion. It is usual to prepare kasha as part of the Shabbes meal.
- According to Magen Avraham, "It is custom to eat many different kinds of fruits" on this occassion, for saying as many brachot as possible. The new fruit is for the shekianu. The fruits should generally include shvat haminim, the seven species of the land of Israel: grapes, olives, dates, figs, wheat, barley and pomegranate. Rabbi Isaac Luria mention 15 varieties of fruits corresponding to the 15 of the month of Shvat, when this holiday is celebrated - according to Beit Hillel. The rabbis from Tsfat mention 12 fruits, corresponding to the number of possible permutations of the letters used for Gd's name. Thus, to the 7 species are added: apples, almonds, walnuts, carob and etrog. Rabbi Eleazar used to say that he rather eat less during the year for savig money for eating as many new fruits as possible on Tu B'Shvat.
- Tachnun is omitted from the Shachrit and Mincha in this day and also from the Mincha the afternoon before. Rabbeinu Gershon says that because this holiday can be compared to Rosh Hashana, fasting is not allowed on this occasion. In Responsa Yehaveh Da'at 1:81, Rav Ovadia Yosef z''l concluded that although it is customary for the bride and groom to fast on the day before the wedding, if this day fallls on Tu B'Shvat, they do not have to fast.
- The custom developed in Tsfat and first used among the Sephardic communities is to celebrate the holiday with a seder, similar with the seder Pesach. There are some similarities, like: drinking white wine at the beginning and red at the end - parallel with the 4 cups on Pesach, or to say a version of MaNishtana (this was introduced relatively recent, by Nogah Hareuveni of Neot Kedumim in 1979).
- Some of the usual meals served on this occassion include many fruits and vegetables, such as vegetarian pilaf, salads - including fruit salad -, fruit compot, almond cakes, couscous or lamb stew with various vegetables.
- There is customary to eat now the etrog from Sukkot, either raw or in various combinations.In this day also one can pray for a beautiful etrog for the next Sukkot.
- According to some customs, carob is eaten on this occasion. Considered the food eaten by Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa who knew how to bring miracles. The last Lubavitcher Rebbe recommended during the Gulf War the consumption of carob by the population as a protection against the possible life threats.
- On Tu B'Shvat the age of the trees for tithing is calculated. It also marks the beginning of the fiscal year of agriculture.
- The erev Tu B'Shvat is considered a time for learning and it is customary to spend the time in Torah study. The tree is actualy a symbol of Torah.
What about you? Do you have some special customs for this holidays? Feel free to share!
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