On January 31st, we celebrated Tu B'Shevat, the New Year of the Trees!
The holiday marks the season in which the trees in Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.
We celebrate with a seder meal divided into four sections -- one that represents each season.
The ceremony includes:
- a first cup of wine
- a fruit with a hard shell but soft interior (walnuts) -- symbolizing the protection the earth provides
- a second cup of wine
- a soft fruit with a pit inside (apricot) -- reminding us of our spiritual strength within
- a third cup of wine
- a fruit that is soft throughout (grapes) -- symbolizing G-d’s omnipresence and our own inextricable ties with the earth
- a fourth cup of wine
- a fruit with a tough skin and sweet fruit inside (mango or banana) -- symbolizing our quest to uncover the mysteries of the world