|
|
January 29, 1999/12 Shevat 5759, Vol. 51, No. 18
Tu b'Shevat holiday provides opportunity to discover God
YOSEF ABRAMOWITZ
Special to Jewish News
One way for children to discover God in the world is by appreciating nature.
From the very beginning, Judaism has been sensitive to the majesty of the seasons, the necessity for clean water and the dignity of the earth, its creatures and vegetation.
Most major Jewish holidays have something to do with the land and the various stages of planting and harvesting. But the mother of all nature holidays is Tu b'Shevat, which falls this year on Monday, Feb. 1. Tu b'Shevat, our tradition teaches, celebrates the new year for the trees.
For many years, American Jews have celebrated the new year for trees by donating money to the Jewish National Fund.
There is a need for a more hands-on American Jewish approach to celebrating Tu b'Shevat so that our Jewish connection to the environment is not out-sourced.
The mystics of ancient Sfat created a seder, not unlike the one we have for Passover, to help us appreciate the miracle of life and of God's bounty. A full such seder service is available on-line at www.Jewish holidays.com. Here are some hands-on ideas to make your celebration meaningful and relevant:
1) The Lorax. Dr. Seuss's tale of the Lorax, who speaks for the trees, is chock full of Jewish values.
2) Pocahontas. Put away the other videos and leave out Disney's story of a Native American woman in tune with nature. Ask your children to watch for environmental values and themes.
3) Dip. Last year, we prepared strawberries, pineapples and other fruits to dip in chocolate fondu throughout the meal, much like dipping parsley in salt water during the Passover seder.
4) Plant at home. Many Jews outside of Israel feel as if they are in exile and focus more on planting trees in Israel than wherever they live. Plant flowers or fruit trees around your house, and assign a child to take care of each one.
5) Parsley. At the end of your Tu b'Shevat seder, have each member of the family plant parsley seeds in paper cups. The parsley will sprout in time for Passover, when your children can pick it and use it to dip into the salt water during that other seder.
Yosef Abramowitz is publisher of www.JewishFamily.com and the author of several books.
|
