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On
the 15th day of the Hebrew month Shvat, we celebrate Tu B'Shevat the
"The New Years for Trees." It is the time of the year when
we remember our unique connection between Judaism and nature. It is
a reminder that spring and the fresh fruits of the harvest are not
too far off.
In Jewish tradition, people have a special relationship with nature
and that we should guard the sanctity of the trees and the environment
as part of our natural world. The Bible teaches us that the children
of Israel were commanded to plant trees and other foliage as they
conquered the holy land of Israel "for the tree of the fields
is man's life". (Deuteronomy 20:19)
As part of Jewish tradition, on this day, we eat from among seven
special species of vegetation. These species are all native to the
land of Israel:
| Barley |
Dates |
Figs |
Grapes |
Pomegranates |
Olives |
Wheat |
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After the exile of the Jews from Israel, Tu
B'Shvat became a day on which to commemorate our connection to Israel.
During much of Jewish history, the only observance of this day was
the practice of eating fruit associated with the land of Israel. A
tradition based on Deuteronomy 8:8 holds that there are five fruits
and two grains associated with it as a "land of wheat and barley,
of vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and [date]
honey." Almonds were also given a prominent place in Tu B'Shvat
meals since the almond trees were believed to be the first of all
trees in Israel to blossom. Carob or St John's bread - was the most
popular fruit to use, since it could survive the long trip from Israel
to Jewish communities in Europe and North Africa.
The medieval mystical Kabbalists carried Tu
B'Shvat a step further. For them, trees were a symbol of humans, as
it says: "For a human is like a tree of the field" (Deut.
20:19). In line with their general concern with Tikun Olam -spiritually
repairing the world - the Kabbalists regarded eating a variety of
fruits on Tu B'Shvat as a way of improving our spiritual selves. They
believed that the ritual consumption of the fruits and the nuts, if
done with the proper intention, would cause the sparks of holy light
hidden in the fruit to be liberated from their shells and rise up
the heavenly ladder to return to their divine source, thereby contributing
to the renewal of life for the coming year. The Bible is referred
to as a "tree of life to them that hold fast to it." The
Kabbalists pictured their philosophical construct of the Sephirot
- the ten mystical emanations of the divinity - in the form of a heavenly
tree or ladder.
For the Kabbalists, trees were symbolic also
of the tree - the Tree of Life, which carries divine goodness and
blessing into the world. To encourage this flow and effect Tikun Olam,
the Kabbalists of Ts'fat (16th century) created a Tu Bishvat seder
loosely modeled after the Pesach seder.
The popular custom today is to eat from all
the seven types of fruit with which the land of Israel is praised
and blessed (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and
dates - Deuteronomy 8:8-9).
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Date
and Nut Pudding
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Tu
B'Shvat Fruitcake
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INGREDIENTS:
1 2/3 cup dates, pitted and diced
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 tbsp sugar
For dairy version: whipped cream 1.Preheat the oven to 325 F/170
C. Grease a 9 in./23 cm square baking dish.
2.In a bowl, combine the dates, walnuts, flour, baking powder
and salt.
3.Beat the eggs with the sugar in a small bowl. Add to the date
mixture and mix well.
4.Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 40 minutes.
5.Serve warm with whipped cream.For 6-8 people
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INGREDIENTS:
This
fruitcake is lighter than the classic version. You need:
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sifted flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup dried fruit
1 cup mixed nuts: almonds, macadamias, walnuts, pecans, etc.
1.Mix all ingredients together.
2.Put in a greased loaf pan.
3.Bake at 350 degrees preheated oven until brown.
4.Stick a toothpick in the center to check if the cake is
done. If it comes out clean, you can let it cool, then enjoy!
Serves 8
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