Tu B'Shvat

“A land of wheat and barley, and vines, and figs and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey.” 

Centuries ago, Adam and Hava ate of the forbidden tree altering the state and future of the world and humanity. As children we were taught the forbidden fruit was an apple. More sophisticated Torah thought, however, opines it was wheat, or fully formed, ready to eat bread. Other opinions hold it was a fig tree, and its leaves were then used by Hashem to cloth them after this sin. Still others believe the fruit was a grape from a grape tree (apparently grapes grew on trees before they were demoted to growing on vines). There are actually opinions to support the fruit as each of the Shiv’at Minim, the seven species the land of Israel is blessed with!

The beauty of Torah? All of these opinions are correct and true. One story, many layers. 

The beauty of Tu B’Shvat? We get to celebrate the land of Israel, Hashem’s bounty and the beauty of the natural world year after year. We celebrate by eating of the seven species and by doing so with intention and blessings, we rectify the sin of Adam and Hava. We take of what they sinned with and use it to bless G-d and enjoy the pleasure of this world in a holy and appropriate way. 

The month of Shevat is a month to look within, to rectify our relationship with food and with ourselves. The foods we partake of, the Shiv’at HaMinim, each correlate to an attribute of G-d (Sefirot) and a characteristic within all of us. As we enjoy them, we are reminded to pay attention and to cultivate the qualities we are meant to embody.

Wheat - Hesed - Kindness

Wheat is the foundation of our diet. It is the most basic of human sustenance just as Hesed and giving are the foundational elements that nourish our elevated G-dly souls.

Barley - Gevura - Restraint

Barley is unrefined in nature and is primarily used as animal feed. Spiritually, it sustains the lower level of our soul, the animal soul. Its characteristics of restraint and self-mastery help us to develop the lower, instinctive layers of ourselves.

Wheat and barley, the grains, are foundational foods in our diet. Because of this they are mentioned first in the order of the pasuk above. The fruits to follow add flavor, the joy and pleasures of life. They come second. First we establish, then we expand.

Grapes - Tiferet - Harmony

Grapes yield wine and wine brings joy. Joy allows us to experience life in color, with deeper emotions and higher highs. True joy is found in the harmony of opposites. When our G-dly soul and animal soul are in tandem, we feel internal joy and pleasure.

Figs - Netzach - Perseverance 

Figs ripen slowly, their growth concealed within, their flowers blossoming within. Figs represent endurance and perseverance. An intimate commitment and involvement in all we do. It is the cultivation of our thoughts, our speech and our actions.

Pomegranate - Hod - Humility

Each seed of a pomegranate grows in its own sac, separate from one another yet coming together to form one gorgeous fruit. Pomegranates remind us to have humility, to contribute to and refine the world without overreaching into a space not meant for us. The self-transcendence to build us yet live beyond us.

Olives - Yesod - Foundation

Olives must be pressed to release their oil. They teach us resilience. Struggle is a foundation of life, and through challenge, through being squeezed, we too produce richness.

Dates - Malchut - Royalty

Dates grow slowly, developing their sweetness over time. As do we. Inner peace, tranquility, and dignity, the hallmarks of true royalty, emerge only through process, through patience and time. And the reward is worth it!

This Tu B’Shvat, may we all enjoy the sweetness of Hashem’s world, may we bless His bounty and may we be inspired by the nature of the Shiv’at HaMinim!