Some Tu B’Shvat Pointers

(Hakhel)

We provide the following point and pointers relating to Tu B’Shevat (Wednesday), and its various customs:

 

1. In honor of Tu B’Shevat, we provide a link http://tinyurl.com/27omq2 to a moving Tefillah from the Ben Ish Chai to be recited for your Esrog this Sukkos (courtesy of Mesivta Yochanan Shraga of Monsey). Before reciting the Tefillah remember how important the role of Tefillah is in actually accomplishing what one sets out to do.

 

2. The G’ra (Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 131:6) writes that all four Rosh Hashanas that are written in the beginning of Meseches Rosh Hashana are all Yomim Tovim.

 

3. It is the custom to eat fruits from trees on the Rosh Hashana LeIlanos (ibid, Mishna Berurah seif katan 31).This is the case even though it is on Shavuos that we are judged on fruits of the tree.  The author of the Luach Bnei Yaakov suggests that perhaps we eat fruits on Tu B’Shevat because man is compared in the Torah to an “Eitz HaSadeh”–and the fruit that he consumes on Tu B’Shevat is to remind him of his own fruits–what are his deeds like, is he producing beautiful fruits…?  After all, it is four and a half months since Rosh Hashana–and we will not experience the great spiritual resurgence of Pesach for an additional three months. Accordingly, it is a time to remind ourselves of our own personal fruits, and further nurture them–to ensure that they are worthy of Bracha.

 

4. Some eat 15 fruits, and recite the 15 Shir HaMa’alos.One of the reasons for this may be to remind everyone in a grand way that the year is a new one for Terumos and Ma’asros, Orlah, and Netah Revaii for the fruits of Eretz Yisrael.

 

5. We additionally note that many have the custom of reciting the bracha of Shehechiyanu on new fruits in season on Tu B’Shevat.  The recitation of this bracha has become a bit more complicated in today’s times because of the availability of many fruits all-year round, taking them out of a particular season, and also because of grafted fruits (See Piskei Teshuvos II, p. 911-918 for further detail).  We therefore recommend that you consult with your Rav or Posek prior to making a Shehechiyanu for a final P’sak on whether or not to recite the bracha on a particular fruit in your area.Even if one does not make a Shehechiyanu, a special feeling of Simchas HaChaim is certainly in order!

 

6. Of course, if one intends to eat dates, figs or carob or other types of Bedika fruits, he should make sure that he has properly checked them for tolaim in accordance with current Halachic guidelines.

 

7. We received the following wonderful idea from Parasha Thoughts relating to Tu B’Shevat: “Why does the world have to be colorful, wouldn’t a black and white world have sufficed? Do we need such variety of foods? We would be able to sustain ourselves with (plain) bread and water! R’ Yaakov Naiman, Z’tl, in the SeferDarchei Mussar, explains that the reason Hashem created the world in color with a whole variety of foods was to make the world pleasant for mankind and give them Joie de vivre.  Because we are obligated to follow in His ways, we therefore have the responsibility to make other peoples’ lives more pleasant in any way we can.  It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day more pleasant.  Never underestimate the power of a smile or a kind word.”

 

8. The Siddur Ya’avetz writes that eating Peiros HaIlan on Tu B’Shevat creates a Tikun Gadol BaOlamos HaElyonim–a great tikun in the upper worlds.

 

9. Some have the special custom of eating Esrog jelly–as this is our premium example of our Pri Eitz Hadar–our finest fruit!