Tu B’Shvat Higia
Tu B’Shvat - the 15th of Shvat, the Holiday of the Trees - begins Sundown on Sunday, February 8. It is remarkable that the rabbis, centuries ago, constructed a Jewish holiday centered on environmental sensitivities. In Israel, the almond trees are beginning to blossom and around the world Jews seek ways to connect to the bounty of the land. For some, that may mean eating as many different species of fruit as possible – tradition suggests 15, with preference going to Israel’s 7 species, almonds and carobs; for some it will be planting trees; for some it may be attending a Tu B’Shvat seder.
For me, it will be spending time with my brother in Park City, Utah (the world is too exciting to stay at home - I buy offsets). I may host a Tu B’Shvat focused meal on the following Shabbat; I may begin to delve into the rich texts of Massekhet HaHammah; I may watch whatever movie is playing at the local arts theater and ski the next morning.
I ask openly, what is a Jewish environmentalist to do on Tu B’Shvat? (The question is obviously extended to: what is an environmentalist to do on Earth Day?)
If, in fact the Jewish environmental movement has succeeded to support a network of individuals for whom every day is Tu B’Shvat, then does the obligation of tradition still hold?
I have some answers, but today I prefer to end with a question. Though, I do promise to come back on Tuesday to share with you all how I ended up celebrating Tu B’Shvat, 5769.
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