We Jews are very lucky that February has much more to offer us than Valentine's Day. This year, Tu Bishevat falls on February 7 (beginning February 6 at sunset), as we celebrate the birthday of trees. This might seem like a strange time to celebrate trees since they are covered with ice and snow, but there is much more to this holiday than one might expect. Tu Bishevat (the 15th of the month of Shevat) was originally established as a birthday for all trees so that farmers would know how old their trees were. This was important because in the Torah it states that,
When you enter the land [of Israel] and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten. [Leviticus 19:23]
Kabbalists in the 16th century looked at Tu Bishevat in a different way, by celebrating a new year for the "Tree of Life." They created a seder that honors God and each individual person's self. The themes of this seder are easily altered to allow children to connect to their families and to focus on their unique qualities throughout the ritual. Every year, new haggadot come out that families can use to make this minor holiday fun and exciting for children. Here are a few different ways to focus this seder and make it meaningful for your children.
Many modern sedarim focus on our environment. We eat different fruits and nuts and we can add readings and songs about how these foods nourish us and keep us alive. It may be important to your family to emphasize how our environment's health depends on how we treat our trees and the world around us. This type of seder could spark the creation of a mini recycling center in your home, or a trip to Central Park. The Lorax, by Dr. Seuss, might be an enjoyable story for younger kids around the seder table.
Eating different types of fruit during your seder is a way to connect each different type of person to the different shapes and textures our environment creates. These fruits remind each of us of our roles in our families. You can choose different fruits and nuts to eat during the seder that represent your family dynamics. Some fruits remind us of our unique cores, while others symbolize a family's strong outer layer that protects everyone within a home. A few helpful resources for creating a complete seder are:
–Amy Berenson, Family Life Intern
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