TU B'SHVAT - the New Year for Trees

Tu B'Shvat, or ט"ו בשבט in Hebrew, which literally means the 15th of Shevat, is celebrated on the full moon of the Hebrew month of Shevat. This time symbolizes the awakening of nature, where sap begins to rise in trees, hinting at the silent, unseen growth beneath the surface. It's a period for quiet preparation, setting the stage for renewal and blossoming in spring in the month of Nissan.

To celebrate Tu B'Shvat we do a "seder." The word "seder" means "order" in Hebrew and refers to a ritual meal that follows a specific sequence. You can think of it like an "eating meditation!"

The Tu B'Shvat Seder is not just an observance of nature's cycle but a profound spiritual alignment with it.

Each element of the seder and the order of its presentation carries deep symbolic meaning, reflecting different aspects of the human experience and our spiritual journey.

Variations in Tu B'Shvat Seders across different sources over the internet highlight the diversity of interpretations and local customs. This guide below offers one approach to foster a symbolic experience and encourage open, reflective conversations with your partner, friends and family around the table!

INTRO:

• Some people like to begin with wheat or barley (in a cake).

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, borei minei mezonot

• Symbolism: Represents intelligence and material success.

STEP 1: Fruits with Hard Shells

• Examples: Walnuts, almonds, coconuts

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, borei peri ha'etz

• Symbolism: Corresponds to Assiyah, the world of action and materiality according to Kabbalah, reflecting our physical interactions.

• Discussion: Reflect on the outer "shells" we present to the world and how they protect our inner selves.

STEP 2: Ground-Growing Fruits

• Examples: Strawberries, carrots, potatoes

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, borei peri ha'adamah

• Symbolism: Linked to Beriah, the world of creation and thought, these fruits remind us of our creative and intellectual contributions.

• Discussion: Consider the ideas and projects we wish to "plant" for the coming year.

STEP 3: Fruits with Pits

• Examples: Olives, dates, peaches

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, borei peri ha'etz

• Symbolism: Corresponds to Yetzirah, focusing on our emotional and spiritual formation.

• Discussion: Reflect on the inner challenges and potentials, considering what "pits" or core issues we need to address. Like this fruit you are eating, there is this pit that makes this fruit not fully eatable, what within you is this pit, this obstacle you are working on in order to reveal your full potential.

STEP 4: Fully Edible Fruits

• Examples: Grapes, figs, blueberries

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, borei peri ha'etz

• Symbolism: Associated with Atzilut, representing purity and the unity of our inner and outer selves.

• Discussion: Meditate on authenticity and wholeness, aiming to align our external actions with our inner truths.

And to conclude :

• New Fruit Celebration

• Blessing: Baruch Atah A-donai, Elokeinu Melech HaOlam, shehecheyanu v'kiyemanu v'higi'anu lazman hazeh

• Discussion: Share thoughts on new beginnings and express gratitude for reaching this season.

  
  

You can conclude the seder with any additional readings or songs that celebrate nature and growth.

"Man is a tree of the field": This phrase from the Torah draws a parallel between human beings and trees. We are reminded that our roots, though hidden, are essential for our growth and stability. The seder is a time to align with the trees, celebrating a new cycle of growth both in nature and within ourselves.

Just like the fruits consumed during the seder, we strive for a life where our actions reflect our true intentions and where our spirits are free from the shells and pits of superficiality and internal conflicts.

Like trees growing towards the light with deep roots, we aim to connect deeply with our sources of spiritual nourishment through mitzvahs and community, reaching out and providing shelter to others, and embracing challenges with strength and resilience. Trees are not in competition for light, they are actually a community sharing through the mycelium (mushroom networks) the vitamins and good elements that some big trees get more easily than smaller ones.

Gathering with family and friends, the Tu B'Shvat Seder is a communal affirmation of life's blessings and the unseen potentials brewing like the sap in winter's trees. It's a collective expression of hope and faith in the abundance and renewal that lies ahead, much like the unseen preparation of trees for the spring to come.

This celebration invites us to reflect, renew, and grow, aligning our spirits with the cyclical and mystical rhythms of the universe, deepening our appreciation for the interconnectedness of all life. To be grateful, and to be together.