Amid today’s climate catastrophe, Tu B’Shvat offers us a chance to consider our role as environmental caretakers. This past year, news of droughts and deluges, fires and floods, has woven itself across our news feeds in an unending parade of devastation that can only be described as biblical in proportion. But what should the role…
Many Jewish holidays have inspired the people of the book to drop tomes and pick up instruments. And, in the age of YouTube, there’s plenty of evidence for the success of that substitution. And, since Tu B’Shvat — a kind of Jewish Arbor Day — celebrates the rebirth of the natural world, it should be…
One of the most potent memories I have of Hebrew School (other than the time I got into trouble for setting the clock ahead) was our celebration of Tu B’Shvat. In addition to pasting the leaf-shaped stamps on our Jewish National Fund tree poster, I loved feasting on the dried fruits and nuts that, we…
Yields 6 loaves 4 tablespoons dry yeast 2 tablespoons organic sugar 4 cups (1 liter) warm water 5 pounds (2.25 kg) organic white flour One 12-ounce (350 g) container of date honey (silan) 1½ tablespoons sea salt 1 cup (230 ml) olive oil 1 cup (150 g) finely-diced dried figs 1 cup (150 g) raisins…
The Tu B’Shvat Seder placed special emphasis on Shivat Haminim — the Seven Species of produce native to the Land of Israel, which are mentioned in the Torah: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. Although in many parts of the world it is still winter, Tu B’Shvat — the 15th of Shvat, the…
Baruch she-p’tarani m’eytz zeh! Blessed is the One who has freed me from the responsibility of this tree!” This time last year, I exclaimed this improvised blessing under the starry skies in the Jerusalem forest — as I burned branches of pine. What was a Jewish environmentalist doing burning branches on Tu B’Shvat, the holiday…
Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish “new year of the trees,” comes again on Sunday, January 24. In recent years, the holiday has become a much-needed day for thinking about, and taking action on, environmental issues. Too bad most of those actions will be counterproductive. For an illustration, consider the Aliso Canyon methane leak, which you probably…
The seven species are pomegranate (above), grapes, dates, figs, olives, wheat and barley. Why do we eat fruit of the Seven Species on Tu B’Shvat? The Seven Species of the Bible are a central feature of the celebration of Tu B’Shvat, which this year occurs in late January. The reason usually given for eating foods…
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