Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees, holds significance as a pivotal date on the ancient Israelite agricultural calendar. However, in the 16th century, Kabbalists, Jewish mystics, enriched its meaning, expanding it to symbolize our profound connection to the land of Israel. Today, we come together to joyously celebrate Tu B’Shevat, honoring Israel and recognizing our interconnectedness with the world and each other.
This Seder is inspired by the Kabbalists. We will have four cups of wine or grape juice, each one representing a season and a world of Kabbalah.
In acknowledging the significance of this occasion, we have set places for those who cannot be physically present with us. Our thoughts turn to those who are in Gaza; their absence is a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those in Israel.
May this evening be a source of inspiration and connection, strengthening the ties that bind us to the land of Israel and to one another.
The connection between the world of action and the tranquility of winter is profound. Much like nature's need for rest and rejuvenation during the winter months, Asiyah invites us to infuse mindfulness into our actions. Winter's stillness becomes a reminder for us to pause and reflect on the intentions behind our actions, fostering a sense of mindfulness in our daily endeavors.
In this world of Asiyah, Shabbat becomes a beacon of intentional action. Shabbat, our weekly day of rest, serves as a moment for us to pause, reflect, and appreciate the actions we take throughout the week. Just as winter provides nature with a time to rest, Shabbat offers us a designated period to cultivate mindfulness and mark the start of a new week with purposeful actions. In Asiyah, we embrace the quietude of winter and weave it into the fabric of our intentional actions, creating a harmonious balance between doing and reflecting.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר שֶׁל שַׁבָּת:
Dear Adonai, Creator of our world, thank You for giving us rules that make our lives special and for teaching us to light these Shabbat candles.
(א) יְשִׂימְךָ אֱלֹהִים כְּאֶפְרַיִם וְכִמְנַשֶּׁה.
יְשִׂימֵךְ אֱלֹהִים כְּשָׂרָה, רִבְקָה, רָחֵל וְלֵאָה.
(ב) יְבָרֶכְךָ אֲדֹנָי וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ. יָאֵר אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ. יִשָּׂא אֲדֹנָי פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם.
May you be like Ephraim and Manasseh.
May you be like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.
May God bless you and keep you safe. May God’s light shine on you and grace your life. May God turn toward you and give you a world of peace.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגֶּֽפֶן:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְרָֽצָה בָֽנוּ, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשׁוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחִילָֽנוּ, זִכָּרוֹן לְמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית. תְּחִלָּה לְמִקְרָאֵי קֹֽדֶשׁ זֵֽכֶר לִיצִיאַת מִצְרָֽיִם, וְשַׁבַּת קָדְשְׁךָ, בְּאַהֲבָה וּבְרָצוֹן הִנְחַלְתָּֽנוּ. בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, מְקַדֵּשׁ הַשַּׁבָּת:
Dear Adonai, Creator of our world, thank You for the delicious fruit that grows on vines.
Thank You, Adonai, for giving us rules that make our lives special and for the gift of Shabbat. In love and favor, You made the holy Shabbat our heritage as a reminder of the work of Creation. As first among our sacred days, it recalls the Exodus from Egypt. In love and favor You have given us Your holy Shabbat as an inheritance. Thank You, Adonai, who makes Shabbat holy.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, הַמּוֹצִיא לֶֽחֶם מִן הָאָֽרֶץ:
Dear Adonai, Creator of our world, thank You for bringing bread out of the earth.
Have you ever had the opportunity to visit Israel? Share your impressions and experiences if you have. For those who haven't visited, what aspects of Israel would you be curious to explore?
Yetzirah is like the breath of spring, awakening the once sleeping earth and giving rise to fresh buds and blossoms. It's a world of possibilities, where we think about what can be and recognize the potential for new transformations. Similar to the vibrant and ever-changing spring, Yetzirah reminds us that we, too, are in a constant state of forming and transforming.
מִזְמ֥וֹר שִׁ֗יר לְי֣וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃
צַ֭דִּיק כַּתָּמָ֣ר יִפְרָ֑ח כְּאֶ֖רֶז בַּלְּבָנ֣וֹן יִשְׂגֶּֽה.
A psalm. A song; for the sabbath day:
The righteous bloom like a date-palm; they thrive like a cedar in Lebanon.
With each drop of this drink, we embrace the spirit of Yetzirah, celebrating the beauty of formation and the endless possibilities that lie ahead. Just as spring breathes life into the earth, may this world inspire us to bloom and thrive in the continuous journey of forming and transforming.
What do you think Americans might find interesting or valuable to learn from someone who has lived in Israel, and vice versa? How do you believe sharing experiences between Israelis and Americans can shape our potential for the future?
We fill our glasses with both red and white juice to symbolize fullness of creation, most easily seen in the summer. Beri'ah urges us to think about the idea of wholeness and connection. We need to look beyond ourselves, and see how we are connected to the people and world around us.
Reflecting on the completeness of Beri'ah, we recall the wisdom captured in Proverbs 3:18, which likens our inherited wisdom to the Tree of Life. This verse beautifully aligns with the fullness and interconnectedness of our collective knowledge, emphasizing the role of wisdom as a source of vitality and growth in our lives.
עֵץ־חַיִּ֣ים הִ֭יא לַמַּחֲזִיקִ֣ים בָּ֑הּ וְֽתֹמְכֶ֥יהָ מְאֻשָּֽׁר׃
She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and whoever holds on to her is happy.
Can you share a story about a time when you felt a strong connection to Israel or to your Jewish identity? How do you think being part of a diverse community can strengthen our connections to each other?
Atzilut is like a spiritual dimension that we can't see but can feel all around us. In the fall, as nature takes a rest, we understand that it's not an end but a part of the endless cycle of life. Our cup carries the red of life and the white that hints at the coming winter.
Even when things seem a bit sad, Atzilut teaches us that there are forces we can't see but can trust. Just like the unseen magic that guides nature through its cycles, we have unseen forces that can lead us to better times. Right now, Israel might be going through a tough time, but Atzilut inspires us to have faith in these unseen forces that will protect the land and its people.
עֹשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם בִּמְרוֹמָיו הוּא יַעֲשֶׂה שָׁלוֹם עָלֵֽינוּ וְעַל כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאִמְרוּ אָמֵן:
May the One Who makes peace in the high heavens make peace upon us and upon all Israel and say Amen.
May we all be blessed with peace during these times of uncertainty. Let's embrace the wonder of life and trust in the unseen forces that guide us. Cheers to the mysteries and blessings that make our journey unique and meaningful.
How can we show support and solidarity with the people of Israel during difficult times like the current situation? In what ways can simple acts, like setting a place for the hostages or keeping them in our thoughts, contribute to a sense of connection and support for those affected?
As we part ways, may our reflections on this special day inspire us to connect with one another and strengthen our ties to the land of Israel. Let Tu B'Shevat be a reminder that, just like the trees, we are interconnected, resilient, and capable of growth.
May the blessings we've shared tonight continue to blossom in our lives, fostering a deepened sense of belonging to the global community and the sacred land of Israel. Wishing you all a year filled with growth, connection, and the abundant beauty of Tu B'Shevat.