The Kabbalists gave us so many wonderful traditions including how we celebrate the beginning of Shabbat with Kabbalat Shabbat with the L’kha Dodi prayer we sing every Friday night. They also created a special, mystical way of celebrating the gifts trees provide us and the beginning of spring in Israel with a Tu B’shevat Seder. Tu B’Shevat, the new year for trees, is the 15th of the month Shevat, which this year begins on Jan 27. The Seder is celebrated through song, mystical readings, discussion, and actions and by drinking grape juice or wine, eating fruits and nuts.
For the past 35 years, I have hosted a Tu B’Shevat Seder for some of my friends. This year, I am extending my invitation to attend a BAI-wide Zoom Seder to all of you, including middle school-age youth and older. Please join us on Jan 27 at 7.
Happy New Year- two new years in Jan this year.
Here are some more details, so you can acquire them:
To fully participate and enjoy the food we talk about, please bring these foods/ drinks to the Seder:
A small amount of white wine or white grape juice
Bottle of white wine or white grape juice
You may have as many of the following types as you like:
Fruits or nuts (especially almonds and walnuts) with an inedible outer shell and an edible inner core
Fruits with an edible outer shell and an inedible inner core, stone or pit (including olives, dates, and all stone fruits like peaches. Dried fruits are easy to get at this time of the year.)
Fruits that edible throughout (like berries, grapes, figs)
I also like to add an unusual fruit or one you have not had in awhile so that you can say the She-heheyanu (the prayer for doing something for the first time).
Of course, you can participate without eating or drinking.
Happy New Year- two new years in Jan this year.
