Dear Parents,
The Jewish calendar is sprinkled with special days, each with its own message of self-betterment and personal growth.
The Jewish calendar is sprinkled with special days, each with its own message of self-betterment and personal growth.
The Tu Bishvat holiday, the New Year for Trees, occurs on the 15th day of the month of Shvat. Tu Bishvat is the beginning of the growth season in Israel, providing the demarcation line for a year’s agricultural production. Farmers in Israel only partook from a tree’s fruits after its third year of growth. And, when the Beit Hamikdash (the Temple) still stood in Jerusalem, we were required to bring a percentage of our crops to charity. Thus, Tu B'shvat is the beginning of Israel's growth season, providing the demarcation line for a year’s agricultural production.
But I am not living in Israel, nor do I tithe produce to charity, as I am not a farmer. So what practical relationship do I have with this holiday?
The message of Tu Bishvat is that we are part of the created world and inextricably bound to all creations. This agricultural holiday brings to mind the relationship we have to each other and to the world at large. Relationships bring with them richness and responsibilities.
Tu Bishvat brings to mind our relationship to the Land of Israel:
Israel is not just a geographical place; it is our Jewish homeland. Although it is still winter here, we celebrate our homeland’s seasonal change.
Tu Bishvat brings to mind our relationship we have to the earth and her produce:
We benefit so much from it, but we must treat it responsibly and with dignity.
Tu Bishvat brings to mind the relationships we have with our fellow human:
If one is lacking, we are obligated to provide support. In Hebrew, the word charity does not exist. Instead, we have the word, tzedakah, which means righteousness or justice. It is not charitable to give tzedakah, but expected. We are all responsible for our fellow humans. That is what it means to be in a relationship.
Each holiday has its customs and rituals. On Tu Bishvat we eat fruits, specifically the fruits and grains with which Israel is praised: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, dates, pomegranates and olives.
At Zimmer, we bring this message to the children in an developmentally-appropriate way, with the message growing and expanding as the children do:
· Our 2’s class is celebrating by talking about how trees help us. Toddlers are at the stage in development in which they understand only concrete things, they cannot yet conceptualize. That is why they will be experiencing the tangible benefits of trees: they provide us with fruit to eat and wood to build.
· Our 3’s class is aware of Israel, as their friend just returned from a two week visit. That is why they will focus more on the aspect of spring beginning in Israel, while it is still winter here in New Jersey. They will study how a tree begins to bud. They will celebrate by eating the seven fruits and grains with which Israel is blessed.
· Our Pre-K and K class will focus on the responsibilities we have within our relationships. People and trees have a dynamic relationship – we each provide for the other. Relationships bring richness to our lives, but they are premised on responsible behavior one to the other.
Let's celebrate together!
Malkie
Let's celebrate together!
Malkie