Today is Tu' B'shvat - the New Year for Trees.
We will have a special 30 minute class on Tu' B'shvat today at 1230PM
Special 30 Minute Lunch n' Learn 12:30- 1 pm -Tu B'shvat Edition
Grab your own (kosher) lunch and take a short Torah break.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88397482267?pwd=aWYzbWFzelNrdzZWeEg0ZXZzVnVnZz09
Dial in 646 558 8656 US (New York) Meeting ID: 883 9748 2267 Passcode: 248365
Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCuLEy7YNljzEfBtPVEwhA
Also on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/bnai.torah.1
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84345969521?pwd=dUhXUTg3K05TYVNkaTNHSEJZSzQzQT09
Dial- in 646 558 8656 US Meeting ID: 843 4596 9521 Passcode: 248365
Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCuLEy7YNljzEfBtPVEwhA
Also on Facebook Live https://www.facebook.com/bnai.torah.1
Remember to follow the customs for Tu' B'shvat: On the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar we celebrate Rosh HaShanah L'Ilanot,the "New Year for the Trees." Some customs for this day:
• It is customary to increase in the amount of fruits one eats on the 15th of Shevat, in order to praise G‑d who created all these species of fruits.
The blessing recited on fruit is:
(In Hebrew:)
(Transliteration:)
Baruch atah A-donoi, Elo-heinu Melech Ha’Olam borei pri ha-aitz.(Translation:)
Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
• In particular, one should include among the fruits one eats on this day the species of fruit which the land of Israel is praised for: grapes, olives, dates, figs and pomegranates.If one eats a sufficient amount of these fruits, one recites the special after blessing Al Ha'aretz ve'al HaPeorot.
• Some have the custom to make an effort and eat at least one fruit which one has not eaten that entire season, and would require the blessing of Shehecheyanu. When eating such a fruit, the Shehecheyanu should be said prior to reciting the blessing of "Haetz." If he has already partaken of other fruits (at that particular sitting) than he only needs to say the Shehecheyanu upon eating the new fruit.
The blessing of Shehecheyanu:
Transliteration: Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam She-heche-ya-nu Ve-ki-yi-ma-nu Ve-higi-a-nu Liz-man Ha-zeh.
Translation: Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.
• Many also have a custom of eating carob on this day.There is yet another custom which many have and that is to eat the Etrog, either in the form of preserves, sugared slices, etc.
• It was the custom of the famed Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria ("Arizal") to eat 15 varieties of fruits on the 15th of Shevat.
• On this day Tachnun is omitted from the Shacharit and Mincha (morning and afternoon) prayers as well as from the Mincha prayer on the afternoon beforehand.
Tu B'Shevat— the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat — is known as the "New Year for Trees." Naturally this would be a time for trees to engage in soul-searching — the same way people do on Rosh Hashanah. Here is a tree's New Year Checklist:
● Did I shelter the seedlings that live in my shade — so they will grow up to be a next generation like myself?
● Did I grow towards the sun as a tree should, reaching up higher and higher towards that which I can never grasp, but which nurtures me all the same the more I strive towards it?
● Did I make sure my roots remain firmly planted in the soil that nurtures them, and did I drop my leaves there in the fall to give back life to that which sustains me?
● Did I ensure that my fruits were sweet and nourished all that came to enjoy them? Did everyone walk away from me with a smile?
● Did I bend gently in the wind, accepting what G‑d sends but never breaking or giving up hope?
● Did I grow in strength and wisdom with each new ring this year?
Come to think of it, not a bad checklist for us humans either!
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