“Once in a blue moon” actually refers to 2 full moons in one month but its usage in common parlance is much broader and describes a rare event. Who would have thought that we Mobilians would experience winter so extremely just last month? To close school and to see businesses and daily life brought to a standstill is certainly rare. We might expect such during Hurricane season but not due to snow and ice. We will be talking about this for years to come- especially the kids who will be hoping for future school closures; likely to be disappointed.
Last night’s full moon, coinciding with Tu Bishvat, announced the holiday which celebrates the renewal of the trees as winter begins to subside and spring, hopefully, approaches. Originally, a temporal signpost in ancient Israel to anticipate the arrival of spring, Tu Bishvat, gained prominence about 500 years ago. Mystics in the northern and mountainous Israeli city of Tzfat who contended with snow and cold winds eagerly looked forward to warming weather and created the new ritual of the Tu Bishvat Seder which included drinking various wines, eating fruits and singing songs and saying prayers themed of rebirth and renewal. On various occasions we have held a Tu Bishvat Seder. This year we are marking Tu Bishvat differently. Our younger Religious School students will be planting flowers on the Shul campus on Sunday Feb. 4 if the weather complies. All Shul members are welcome to join us. ( If it it is too rainy we will meet inside for other Tu Bishvat planting activities). Please feel free to join us on Sunday Feb. 4 from 10:00 a.m. -Noon.
Many people consider Tu Bishvat a child’s holiday and fail to appreciate its value for adults. At a time during which climate change is ever more important and pollution is an issue of grave social concern, we Jews can point to an ancient holiday which bears a mighty message. To plant trees for the sake of strengthening our world, to celebrate the role of fruits and beverages in our lives and to appreciate the significance of the seasons through the lens of prayer are deeply compelling. Packaging environmental concern within a mystical holiday whose chief expression is enjoying food is quite sophisticated. Luckily for us, the holiday of Tu Bishvat is not as rare as blue moons and we are able to enjoy it annually.
Just as the holidays return to us every year so, too, does the Torah reading. This week’s Parshah is Yitro and contains not only the TEN GREAT STATEMENTS but also constructive criticism of the managerial style of Moses, offered by his father-in-law, the Parsha’s namesake. Strikingly, the Torah reading of the week is named after a Midianite. While the obvious reason for this naming is the fact that Yitro is the first major word in the opening sentence, I am fond of saying that the contributions to Israelite life by a non-Israelite are so dramatic that a Torah reading was named after him. In our own lives, we too, can grow in understanding by listening to all of the people who are part of our lives, regardless of being Israelite or not, when they are devoted to principles of monotheism, justice,integrity, love and honor. May we all grow in wisdom and perspective.
Shabbat Shalom.
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