One of the finest examples of the renewal of Jewish ritual is found in the holiday of Tu B’Shvat – Torah’s legalistic birthday of the trees marking a time for tithing. Over the millennia, this holiday has be adapted to unlock its relevance to the people of many times and places.
In the 15th Century, the kabbalists renewed Tu B’Shvat as an opportunity for spiritual enlightenment and tikkun/repair. The first published Tu B’Shvat seder revolves around eating ten symbolic fruits as a means of focusing awareness on the mystical states of being represented by different fruits, thus opening the participant to engaging in tikkun.
In the 20th Century, the early Zionists reclaimed Tu B’Shvat as a celebration of the land of Israel and its agricultural bounty. And in modern times, the environmental movement has adopted Tu B’Shvat as the holiday of nature – appreciating the natural bounty of the earth. Most recently, T’ruah, a rabbinical human rights advocacy organization, has created a Tu B’Shvat seder designed to recommit participants to the protection of human rights.
From the very first year of our formation, The Little Minyan has been committed to active tikkun around environmental issues and proper
nourishment of the body as well as the soul. Thus, it was a natural fit that our very first seder together in the winter of 2007 was in celebration of Tu B’Shvat. For seven years, our focus has been entirely on environmental attention and care. This year, we will expand our focus to include protection of human rights utilizing the new T’ruah seder.
Our
intergenerational celebration
will commence with a kid-friendly activity at 4:30 p.m., continue with a shared meal at 5:30 and Havdalah, and conclude with a 6:30 p.m. adult-focused seder with childcare provided for families whose adults want
to attend the seder. All are welcome and non-members are asked to make a contribution after Shabbat to help sustain our valuable programming. Dinner from Pita Hut and beverages will be provided. The suggested donation for this program is $18 per family and $6 per adult. Please continue to nurture the seeds of our Little Minyan. Contributions can be made using
the link
in the upper right-hand corner of this website or in person. Questions should be directed to Jessica K. Shimberg at littleminyan@littleminyan.org or 614.459.9593.
4:30 p.m. kid-focused activities and intergenerational green building project; 5:30 p.m. dinner from Pita Hut followed by Havdalah; 6:30 p.m. adult-focused seder and child care for young children. Location : Lounge at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Upper Arlington, 43221.
Tree Artwork by Judith Shaw; Photo from early kibbutz Tu B’Shvat
