blog: Ari Enkin 03 - Tu B'Shvat

28 Elul 5770

September 7 2010

On Tu B'Shvat

Whether spending Tu B’Shvat enjoying the outdoors, snacking on exotic fruits or contemplating what a New Year for trees truly means - it is a holiday that offers something for everyone. There are actually four New Years on the Jewish calendar, each with its own set of observances (Rosh Hashanah 2a). It is interesting to note that it was not unanimous that Tu B’Shvat (“15^th of Shevat”) should be declared the New Year for trees. There was a strong opposition insisting that Aleph Sh'vat (1^st of Shevat) should be declared the New Year for trees. But as we know, the efforts of this school of thought rarely bore any fruit. (fruit - get it?).

While from a literal reading of Halacha there is actually no obligation at all to snack on fruits on Tu B'Shvat, the Kabbalists (and Kabbala is ‘in’ these days) have come up with a string of mystical teaching and practices relating to this day. One school of kabbalistic thought teaches that one should endeavor to eat a minimum of 15 fruits on Tu B’Shvat representing the numerical value of the date on the calendar (the Ari za”l). Others suggest that at least 30 types of fruits should be eaten on Tu B’Shvat which seems to represent every possible fruit group: those grow from the ground, those that grow on trees, those with edible pits, those with non-edible pits, nuts, and a number of other classification which kabbalists teach add up to thirty (Rabbi Chaim Vital). All kabbalists agree however that one should not taste less than 12 fruits on Tu B’Shvat, which represents the number of possible combinations of the name of G-d.

Tu B’Shvat is also intended to refresh our bonds with the land of Israel. As such, one is encouraged to eat the seven fruits for which the land of Israel is praised. Ideally these fruits should have been grown in Israel but the same species grown somewhere else would be acceptable as well. It is interesting to note that the wording of the ‘after-blessing’ for fruit is changed when the fruit actually grew in the Holy Land. Although wheat and other grains are among the ‘fruits’ associated with the land of Israel, one does not have to eat raw grains for this purpose - bread and cake will do (see current issue of Connections Magazine page 44 for a recipe for wheat kernels). So too, although grapes are also associated with the land of Israel one need not eat them raw either - wine is considered acceptable for this purpose as well.

There is an ancient custom on Tu B’Shvat to endeavor to eat a fruit, which one has not eaten for close to a year and to recite the “shehecheyanu” blessing over it as well. Other authorities disagree, arguing that the shehecheyanu blessing should only be recited on occasions that bring us much joy and the mere eating of a fruit is not one of those things regardless of the last time one has eaten it. (Ta’amei Haminhagim). One should follow the ruling of his/her rabbi on this matter.

The festive spirit of Tu B’Shvat is also manifested in a number of different way as well. For example, fasting is forbidden on Tu B’Shvat - even for a groom and bride on their wedding day. In addition, the Tachanun, prayer for supplications are not recited, and eulogies should not be delivered at funerals as well.

From Kabbala to ecology, during the course of Tu B’Shvat week, be sure to enjoy and contemplate the meaning of the season.