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Introduction
As spring approaches in Israel and the almond tree begins to bloom, it is time to celebrate Tu Bishvat, the birthday of the trees. Trees are important to us in so many ways: they clean the air, grow fruit, provide shelter, and improve the soil. They also can be used as a metaphor for human characteristics and provide an opportunity to think about how we can better ourselves.
In this Tu Bishvat seder, we will drink four cups of grape juice and eat several types of fruits and nuts. We will also delve into the life of trees and ourselves as we celebrate Tu Bishvat together.
First cup: We drink a glass of white grape juice for our first cup. This cup represents winter. In the winter, nature is quiet and sleeping and in some places in the world is covered with snow.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגֶּֽפֶן:
Blessed are You, L·rd, Our G·d, King of the Universe, Who creates fruit of the vine.
First fruit: During the course of the seder, we will be eating fruits of different categories. The first group of fruits is those with shells that we can’t eat. Fruits with hard shells and soft insides include walnuts, oranges, pomegranates, and almonds.
- The hard shell reminds us how nature protects us from the harsh environment. Can you think of ways that trees and other parts of nature protect you?
- For people, the hard outer shell represents the barriers that we erect to protect ourselves from getting hurt. When do you find yourself putting up these barriers? How do these barriers help us and how do they get in the way of being close to others?
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the tree.
Second cup: For the second cup of juice, fill most of the cup with white grape juice and add a splash of red grape juice so that the color is light pink. This cup of juice represents spring, when the trees begin to blossom and the earth comes back to life. How do you feel when you see the first blooms of the season?
Second fruit: The second group of fruits are those with a soft outside and a pit that we don’t eat. Fruits include olives, dates, apricots, peaches, and plums.
- The soft skin reminds us of the earth warming and the trees and animals shedding their cold weather protection. Trees blossom, which exposes them to the elements. How does shedding your cold weather gear make you feel?
- Although the outer layer of this group of fruits is soft and less protective, the pit represents a person’s inner strength and integrity. As you let down some of your protective barriers, how do you maintain your core values and identity?
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the tree.
Third cup: The third cup of wine is half white grape juice and half red grape juice. This cup represents the summer, when the weather is warm and the earth is productive. How does growing fruits and vegetables or picking your own produce at an orchard make you feel? How does produce eaten at the peak of its season taste? Are there fruits or vegetables that you look forward to each year?
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגֶּֽפֶן:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe, Who creates fruit of the vine.
Third fruit: The third group of fruits are those which are soft and totally edible, such as seedless grapes, figs, and berries.
- Fruits in this group have no outer protection and are totally consumed. Are there times when you want to be totally open with others? How do you create relationships where you can let your guard down and share openly?
- This group includes fruits over which two different blessings might be said. Choose the appropriate blessing for the fruit that you eat.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the tree.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the ground.
Fourth cup: The final cup of grape juice is all red, representing the fall, when nature displays its explosion of colorful leaves and prepares for the upcoming winter. How do you feel when you see the beautiful colors of autumn? Over the course of the year, the trees have been adapting to the weather. How might the trees’ preparation for the upcoming winter inspire you?
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגֶּֽפֶן:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe, Who creates fruit of the vine.
Fourth fruit: The last category of fruits is those that are tough on the outside but sweet on the inside. Fruits in this group include bananas, avocados, and sabras (cactus fruit).
- The fruits in this category seem like one thing (hard on the outside), but are truly something else (sweet on the inside). Do you ever exhibit these traits? How do you let people know your true sweet essence?
- In nature, some fruits have protection like thorns, hard shells, and peels so that their seeds can survive in order to start new plants. Why do we sometimes have prickly outsides? What are we protecting ourselves from? What are the positive and negative aspects of having a prickly exterior?
This group also contains fruits from different blessing groups. Choose the appropriate blessing for the fruits that you eat.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the tree.
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה:
Blessed are You, Lord, Our God, King of the Universe Who creates fruit of the ground.