Israel: The World’s First Modern Indigenous State

25/01/2014 – כ״ה בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – כ״ה בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – 22:19

Indigenous Rights and Israel: A Historical Perspective

Barbara Kay: No, Arabs aren’t Israel’s “indigenous” people

You have heard the term “Fake News” how about “Fake Heritage” created by the Terrorist Arab Palestinians and their BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions of Israel) movement. The Arabs claim that they are the “Real Indigenous People” and make claims such as “Jesus was a Palestinian”. Well the hard, evidence based, facts say otherwise.

There is a check list of who is a Real Indigenous People and who is a Colonizing and Imperial people

Did you force your language on other people
Did you force your religion on other people
Did you claim and take over other people’s sacred sites
Do you deny indigenous people the right to self-determination on land that you conquered
Did you conquer a large percentage of the known world

If you answer Yes, to most or all of the above questions and the Arabs must answer yes to all. While the Jews can legitimately say no to all of them then you are in fact a colonizing and Imperial people not an oppressed or colonized people.

The short version of these questions is:
Did you take other people’s stuff and claim it as your own? (The Temple Mount, Hebron)
If you did, you are guilty of creating a fake heritage.

Israel: The World’s First Modern Indigenous State

16January2014 https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-the-worlds-first-modern-indigenous-state/

The following essay by Ryan Mervin Bellerose a pro-Israel native-rights activist in Alberta, Canada – first published on the israellycool blog (israellycool.com) and then on Calgary United with Israel – explains “why Jews are indigenous to the Land of Israel and why Palestinians are not.”

Ryan Mervin Bellerose, speaking on Canada’s Sun News, speaks out against boycotting Israel.

I am a Métis from Paddle Prairie Metis settlement [in Canada]. My father, Mervin Bellerose, co-authored the Métis Settlements Act of 1989, which was passed by the Alberta legislature in 1990 and cemented our land rights. I founded Canadians for Accountability, a native rights advocacy group, and I am an organizer and participant in the Idle No More movement in Calgary. And I am a Zionist.

To begin, let us acknowledge that there is no rule that a land can have only one indigenous people; it is not a zero sum game in which one group must be considered indigenous so that therefore another is not. However, there is a very clear guideline to being an indigenous people. It is somewhat complex but can be boiled down to the checklist below, as developed by anthropologist José R. Martínez-Cobo, former special rapporteur of the Sub-commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities for the United Nations.This list was developed because indigenous rights are beginning to be respected across the planet. This recognition is incredibly important, so we as indigenous people cannot allow non-indigenous people to make false claims, which ultimately would harm our own rights.

Israel is the world’s first modern indigenous state: the creation and declaration of the sovereign nation of Israel marks the first time in history that an indigenous people has managed to regain control of its ancestral lands and build a nation state. As such, this is incredibly important for indigenous people both to recognize and to support as a great example for our peoples to emulate.

WHAT IS AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE?

The actual working definition of “indigenous people” (not the Wikipedia version, nor Merriam Webster, both more suited to plants and animals) for purposes of this essay is that developed by aforementioned anthropologist José R. Martínez-Cobo. With this as my foundation, I will detail why Jews are indigenous to Israel, and why Palestinians are not.
Martinez-Cobo’s research suggests that indigenous communities, peoples and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing on those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal system.

Unsettled region of Judea and Samaria (Photo: IDF)

This historical continuity may consist of the continuation, for an extended period reaching into the present of one or more of the following factors:- Occupation of ancestral lands, or at least of part of them

– Common ancestry with the original occupants of these lands
– Culture in general, or in specific manifestations (such as religion, living under a tribal system, membership of an indigenous community, dress, means of livelihood, lifestyle, etc.)
– Language (whether used as the only language, as mother-tongue, as the habitual means of communication at home or in the family, or as the main, preferred, habitual, general or normal language)
– Residence in certain parts of the country, or in certain regions of the world
– Religion that places importance on spiritual ties to the ancestral lands
– Blood quantum – that is, the amount of blood you carry of a specific people to identify as that people. The concept was developed by colonialists in order to eventually breed out native peoples.Let us now look quickly at the Jews.

How do they fit this definition?

Their lands were occupied, first by the Romans, then by the Arabs in the seventh century.

They share common ancestry with previous occupants as determined by several genetic studies.

Their culture can be traced directly to the Levant, where it developed into what is now known as “Jewish culture.” While different Jewish communities have slightly different traditions, they all share the same root culture, and it remains unchanged. They have resurrected their traditional language, and while many still speak Yiddish and Ladino, Hebrew has become the primary language again.They have spiritual ties to the land, which plays a large role in their traditions as a people. Despite all the arguments about “European” Jews, they in fact meet all the criteria set forth by Martínez-Cobo.

JUDEA AND SAMARIA ARE JEWISH ANCESTRAL LANDS

Archaeological evidence of the Tabernacle exists in the modern Jewish city of Shilo. (Temple Institute)

Even though Israel is the first modern indigenous state, it still has lands that are occupied by foreigners in Judea and Samaria.

Those are ancestral lands, and many feel that they should be returned to the indigenous peoples for self-determination.

Now, for the flip side.

Palestinians have what are called “rights of longstanding presence,” and although these are legitimate rights, they do not trump indigenous rights. The very nature of “longstanding presence” means that although they lived somewhere a long time, they do not have the right to occupy indigenous peoples and control them.

The argument that Palestinians are indigenous is incorrect for several reasons.

Approximately 50% percent of Palestinian Arabs can track their ancestors back farther than their great-grandparents. Many are descended from Arabs brought to the Levant by the British to build infrastructure after World War I.

The vast majority of Palestinians are Arabic speaking Muslims; the Arabic language is indigenous to the Arabian Peninsula, as is the Muslim religion. The Muslim religion’s holiest places are not in the Levant, but in the city of Mecca, located in the Arabian Peninsula. They have no specifically Palestinian culture that is completely Palestinian dating before the 1960s; in fact, prior to that, the majority identified as “greater Syrians.”

Some Palestinians share common ancestry with indigenous peoples, but they neither follow indigenous traditions nor do they self-identify as those indigenous peoples. They share neither religion nor language with them. Blood quantum alone is insufficient to transmit indigenous status.

The Arabs of the Middle East subsumed several indigenous populations, but no group can become indigenous through subsuming indigenous peoples.

Rather, they conquered the entire region and spread their own language, customs, and religion.

This is historical fact.
Now you might ask: why is this important? It is important to indigenous people because we cannot allow the argument that conquerors can become indigenous. If we, as other indigenous people, allow that argument to be made, then we are delegitimizing our own rights.

PALESTINIAN CLAIMS ARE ‘DANGEROUS TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE EVERYWHERE’

Rachel’s Tomb near Bethlehem (Photo: The Friends of Rachel’s Tomb)

If conquerors can become indigenous, then the white Europeans who came to my indigenous lands in North America could now claim to be indigenous. The white Europeans who went to Australia and New Zealand could now claim to be indigenous. If we, even once, allow that argument to be made, indigenous rights are suddenly devalued and meaningless. This is somewhat peculiar, as those who are arguing for Palestinian “indigenous rights” are usually those who have little grasp of the history, and no understanding of the truth behind indigenous rights.

If you should encounter the argument that conquerors may themselves become indigenous to a region by virtue of conquering, direct those who assert the argument to this article, and help them understand not only is the argument wrong – it is dangerous to Indigenous people everywhere.

Author: Ryan Mervin Bellerose
Date: Jan. 16, 2014

Israel and the Palestinians: What the media won’t report

By Staff | Posted in Politics | Tagged Indigenous State, Israel Indigenous State | Comments Off

Give Your Pet A Health Check In 5 Easy Steps

20/01/2014 – י״ט בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – י״ט בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – 09:01

Your Overweight Cat http://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/your-overweight-cat-ma.html

While many of us think about improving aspects of our health and wellbeing as we kick-start the year, this is also a great time to check the health of your furry friends at home. Here is a 5-step checklist that will help monitor your cat or dog’s health:

1. Weight: Let’s face it, during the holiday season many of us ‘treat’ our pets with scraps of left-over meat and other food… it happens.Here’s how to see if Rascal or Mittens has had a bit too much turkey under the table:
1. You should be able to feel the hip bones and shoulder blades when you apply moderate pressure to the areas.
2. When applying gentle and light pressure to the ribs, there should be no fat covering them.
3. The bit of loose skin hanging below the lower jaw is called the dewlap. When your cat or dog is overweight, the dewlap thickens and hangs heavier than usual.
4. Overweight cats usually have a hanging belly, instead of it being tucked in and covered with free, moveable skin. Dogs tend to expand around the waist area, making them look round and chubby. In addition to having a fuller waistline, being sluggish and out of breath are other signs that your dog or cat needs to go on a diet and get regular exercise more often.

2. Skin and Coat: Pay attention to the skin underneath the coat by brushing it back. Look for any bruises, flaking, rashes or reddening of the skin. By pinching the skin around the neck area, you can determine if your pet is suffering from mild dehydration — if the skin stays tented it’s normally an indication that your cat or dog needs more fluid.

Itchy skin caused by fleas, mites or an allergy, may cause your pet to scratch or bite themselves. Finding the cause of what irritates their skin will save them from feeling traumatised. Conditions like ringworm and demodex (an infestation of tiny, cigar-shaped, eight-legged mites) are more serious because they make the fur fall out.

Look for ‘flea dirt’ by combing the coat vigorously. Flea droppings show up as black specks on the skin and can be told apart from sand by placing the debris and dirt you’ve brushed out on a wet paper towel. If flea droppings are present, they will dissolve on the paper, leaving behind a red pigment — your pet’s blood, which has been swallowed by the flea.

3. Eyes: Your pet’s eyes should be clear and wide open with no discharge or swelling around the lids. The pupils should both be the same size.

Hold a small ball in front of your pet, moving it from side-to-side. Your pet should follow the movement. If not, it may indicate that they are not seeing properly, due to ageing or damage caused by scaring (after a fight or rummaging in the hedges) or an eye infection.

4. Oral health: As a general rule, your cat or dog’s teeth should be clean, white and smooth, and their gums should be salmon-pink and moist, with no signs of swelling. The black blemishes on some dogs’ gums are perfectly normal.

Pale or dry gums may be a sign of shock. Bright red and swollen gums could indicate carbon-monoxide poisoning — however this is rare. And yellowish gums can signal liver dysfunction.

Yellow or brown tartar build-up on the teeth can cause gum disease and even gingivitis (red, swollen and bleeding gums), which usually is caused by a bacterial infection.

5. Ears: Gently remove earwax from the inside of the ears with a warm washcloth. There should be no discharge or swelling on the inside of the ear. Touching the base of the ear should not be painful. If you suspect that your pet might have an ear infection, visit your vet as soon as possible since long-term ear infections can cause narrowing of the ear canals and it can also damage the eardrums.

It’s worth doing these health checks on a regular basis, even if your pet appears to be healthy. If you suspect that Rascal or Mittens may be suffering from an underlying condition — especially when you see signs of infection — book an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later. After all, we call them our ‘best friends’ so we have all the reason to treat them as such.

Cat Exercise

How to Have a Healthy Outdoor Cat

http://www.pcpsi.com/2013/03/12/healthy-outdoor-cat/

Natural flea and tick remedies that avoid exposure to toxic chemicals

Monday, September 17, 2018 by: Zoey Sky
https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-09-17-natural-flea-and-tick-remedies.html

(Natural News) When it comes to pet care, fleas and ticks are some of the most annoying problems that you may have to deal with. These parasites spell bad news for your pets – particularly dogs and cats – because they cause diseases, itching, and skin damage and infections.

There are different pet care products that can get rid of fleas and ticks, but they are linked to negative side effects. This is one reason why concerned pet owners prefer to use homeopathic flea and tick remedies instead. Thankfully, there are safe home remedies that you can use to keep these pests off of your four-legged pals.

Homeopathic remedies are natural treatments that are safer to use because, unlike store-bought medications, they don’t contain harsh chemicals or other toxic ingredients.

If your pet has fleas or ticks, try some of the remedies listed below.

Black walnut hulls – Black walnut trees produce a natural acidic insecticide called juglone that seeps from the tree’s leaves and roots then permeate the nut hulls. The acid from the juglone inside the hulls helps repel fleas. Black walnut hulls are available in capsule or liquid form.
Brewer’s yeast – Brewer’s yeast, a popular natural supplement, can be combined with garlic to make an effective flea home remedy. Brewer’s yeast is sold in both powder and tablet form. The correct dose depends on the form of yeast that you use. For the powdered form, the recommended amount is half a teaspoon per pound of body weight. For tablets, follow the dose directions on the product label.
Cedar oil – Cedar oil is a natural repellent for nasty ticks. To get rid of ticks, apply cedar oil on tick-infested areas on your dog. Do not spray the oil into your pet’s face and eyes. Take a soft cloth, spray some of the oil on it, then carefully wipe the cloth around your dog’s face.
Citrus – To prepare a natural tick repellent oil from citrus fruits, take some organic lemon or orange peels then boil them. Let the mixture cool, then apply it directly to any affected areas on your dog.
Garlic – Fleas hate the taste of garlic, and one way of protecting your dog from fleas is feeding him some garlic. This makes his blood inedible to the parasites. Garlic is available in pill form, but using garlic cloves or powder is more effective. Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, and author of “The New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,” explained that the recommended amount for dogs (per pound, per day) is as follows: 10 to 15 pounds = half a clove of garlic, 20 to 40 pounds = one clove, 45 to 70 pounds = two cloves, 75 to 90 pounds = two and a half cloves, and 100 pounds and over = three cloves. Take note that you can’t feed garlic to a dog with a pre-existing anemic condition. (Related: Natural remedies for keeping creepy crawlies off people, pets and livestock.)
Sulfur – Dietary sulfur is a crucial nutrient. Sulfur, a component of various amino acids, is also a natural flea repellent. Once ingested, sulfur creates a scent on the skin of dogs that keeps fleas away. Sulfur can be given in either liquid or tablet form. Mix dietary sulfur into dog food or administer it orally.

The power of the elements: Discover Colloidal Silver Mouthwash with quality, natural ingredients like Sangre de Drago sap, black walnut hulls, menthol crystals and more. Zero artificial sweeteners, colors or alcohol. Learn more at the Health Ranger Store and help support this news site.

Even products labeled “natural” are not always safe. Check the label carefully for dosage directions and always monitor your dog after using a homeopathic medication. Consult a veterinarian before using any of the remedies above to ensure that it is safe for your pet and that it won’t cause any negative side effects. Ask if the remedy you plan on using could affect your pet’s allergies or other pre-existing conditions.

Try some of these natural remedies to keep harmful parasites like fleas and ticks off of your furry best friends.

Read more articles about natural flea and tick home remedies for your pets at PetHealth.news.

Sources include:

Homeo-Pathic.ESY.es

OrganicDailyPost.com

By Staff | Posted in General: All about cats in Jerusalem | Tagged Natural flea and tick remedies, Pet Health Check | Comments Off

Tu B’Shevat-How and What to check for Bugs

10/01/2014 – ט׳ בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – ט׳ בשבט ה׳תשע״ד – 15:17

It’s time for Tu B’Shevat

A Rare Opportunity to Plant Fruit Trees in Israel

Closeup of floating insects when barley is submerged.

Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for trees, is this coming Thursday, January 16, 2014.

From: Rav Lazer Brody Why in the world does Judaism require a New Year for trees?

Here’s a better question: The nations of the world, in protesting our right to the Land of Israel, claim that all the other religions are fine with living in a variety of countries, so why must the Jews have their own land?

Many Jews don’t know the answer to this seemingly-probing question. Yet, the answer is surprisingly simple. It also explains why we have a special New Year for trees, when it’s a special mitzva to plant trees all over the Land of Israel.

From:Ask OU Kosher
Q: Are there any kashrut concerns with plain vegetables?

A: Yes. Different varieties of certain fresh or frozen vegetables could potentially contain insects, which are considered not kosher and prohibited. Vegetables that have this concern must be checked before they are prepared or consumed, to ensure that there aren’t any insects hiding in cracks, crevices, or grooves of the vegetable. Moreover, canned vegetables could potentially be cooked in equipment that also processes genuinely non-kosher products, such as pork and beans. Vegetables that are from Israel are also subject to additional requirements of mitzvos hateluyos be’aretz.

Below are links to PFD files from the various rabbonim and institutions with their instructions as to what fruits require inspection and how this is done
From Jerusalem Kosher News: Tu B’Shevat & How and What to Check

Tu-b’Shevat Seven Species

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774

R Landau 15 Shevat 5774

Kosarot Tu B’SHevat5774

Eida Tu B’Shevat

המכון מצוות התלויות בארץ טו בשבט

ר וייא טו בשבט תשעד

המכון תורה והארץ טו בשבט

Rav Elchanan Elgrod: Breslov Posek-The laws and customs of Tu B’Shevat-24January2013

click to Download

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774 Page 1

R Vaye Tu B’Shevat 5774 Page 2

Click here for larger image

R Landau 15 Shevat 5774-Page 1

Click here for larger image

R Landau 15 Shevat 5774-Page 2

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder

On Tu B’Shvat, you can ponder a world-full of fruits for hours.

by Yitzhak Buxbaum http://www.aish.com/h/15sh/ho/48965616.html
– Copyrighted material used with permission from A Person is Like a Tree: A Sourcebook for Tu BeShvat, by Yitzhak Buxbaum (Jason Aronson Inc.), available from www.bn.com.

(1) INTRODUCTION

Tu B’Shvat is the New Year for the Trees. As in all other points in the Jewish calendar, Tu B’Shvat offers a unique opportunity for insight into living and personal growth. Throughout the centuries, Kabbalists have used the tree as a metaphor to understand God’s relationship to the spiritual and physical worlds. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, in his 18th century classic The Way of God, teaches that the higher spiritual realms are roots that ultimately manifest their influence through branches and leaves in the lower realms.

In the 16th century, the Kabbalists of Tzfat compiled a Tu B’Shvat seder, somewhat similar to the seder for Passover. It involves enjoying the fruits of the tree, particularly those native to the Land of Israel, and discusses philosophical and Kabbalistic concepts associated with the day. Among other things, the seder is a great way to appreciate the bounty that we so often take for granted, and to develop a good and generous eye for the world around us.

The seder presented here is based primarily on the Kabbalistic work, Chemdat Yamim, later published separately under the title Pri Aitz Hadar.

PREPARATIONS

To enjoy this experience in your own home, try to prepare the basic items mentioned below. Don’t worry if you can’t find all these items; do the best you can. Since the order and the contents of the seder do not follow a specific Jewish law, there is much room for flexibility and creativity.

You will need lots of fruit, including:

The seven species by which the Land of Israel is praised:
1. Figs
2. Dates
3. Pomegranates
4. Olives
5. Grapes(or raisins)
6. wheat and barley (in the form of bread, cake or cereal)
Various nuts with the shells (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, coconut), and fruits with peels (oranges, pomegranates, avocado)
Other fruits with edible seeds (e.g. blueberries)
Other fruits with inedible pits (e.g. peaches, plums)
Wine or grape juice, both white and red
charity box

Important note: Since insects are not kosher, check your fruits to make sure they are bug-free. Bugs are especially common in figs, dates, and dried apricots. To check, split the fruit in half and look carefully before eating.

(2) THE SEDER BEGINS

The leader asks:

Why do we celebrate the New Year for fruit trees on Tu B’Shvat?

All say:

Since the Holy Temple was destroyed, the Jewish people could no longer bring the First Fruits (Bikkurim) to Jerusalem. On Tu B’Shvat we offer instead the fruit of our lips, to praise God for all the fruit trees in the world.

A participant says:

Tu Bishvat marks a new period for taking tithes, a portion of which is given to the poor. Therefore:

When a person is privileged to eat in the presence of God, he must show his appreciation by giving charity to the poor and feeding them, just as God in His bounty feeds him. ( Zohar – Parshat Trumah)

At this point it is appropriate to pass around a ‘pushka’ to collect tzedakah. After the seder, the money should be donated to a worthy cause.

A participant says:

The Mishnah in Tractate Rosh Hashana says that Tu B’Shvat is New Year for the TREE (singular). This reference to a singular tree alludes to The Tree — the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden.

And God said: ‘Let the earth put forth grass, herb-yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit of its kind.’ ‘Fruit tree’ means the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, which put forth blossoms and fruit. ‘Bearing fruit’ is the tzaddik, the basis of the world. ‘Of its kind’ means all the human beings who have in them the spirit of holiness, which is the blossom of that tree. This is the covenant of holiness, the covenant of peace — and the faithful enter into that kind and do not depart from it. The Tzaddik generates, and the tree conceives and brings forth fruit of its kind. ( Zohar – Bereishit 33a)

Meditation:

One should intend that he is eating at the celestial table before God, in the Garden of Eden before the Divine Presence. ( Raishit Chochma — Shar HaKedusha)

Take a few moments and think deeply about being in the company of God… sitting at His table… experiencing the sublime spiritual pleasure of a relationship with the Creator Himself.

Discussion questions:

A) When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, they were permitted to eat only fruits and vegetables. Only after Noah’s Flood did God permit meat. In what ways is it considered spiritually higher to eat meat? And in what ways is it considered spiritually higher to be a vegetarian?

B) There were two trees in the center of the Garden: the Tree of Life (representing Torah and eternal life) and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (representing death and distortion). Another way of expressing this distinction is that the Tree of Life is objective wisdom, while the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil is personal experience. Why would Adam and Eve have chosen to eat from the latter, especially since God had explicitly instructed them not to?

A participant says:

Man’s very name — Adam — is derived from the word Earth, adama. While man is at once the pinnacle of creation, the master and caretaker of the world, he is also dependent on the earth for his most basic needs. The Torah, in outlining the negative commandment of destroying fruit trees, refers to man himself as a tree of the field (Deut. 20:19). Our sages learn from this verse a prohibition against any needless destruction. In other words, fruit trees serve as the archetype for man’s relationship and responsibility to his environment.

It was through a mistake in eating fruit that caused Adam and Eve’s exile from the Garden of Eden. Eating fruit is a metaphor for our interaction with this world. Correct usage leads to a perfected world and spiritual bliss. Misuse leads to destruction and spiritual degradation. The seder of Tu B’Shvat is our opportunity to rectify the past iniquity and return once again to our rightful place within the Garden.

All say:

Adam and Eve erred by eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. To correct this mistake, we eat our fruit today with pure intentions, as if from the Tree of Life.

A participant says:

Rabbi Chaim Vital wrote:

My teacher [the holy Arizal] used to say that one must intend while eating the fruits [at the Tu B’Shvat Seder] to repair the sin of Adam who erred by eating fruit from the tree.

Partaking in the physical world inappropriately, for its own sake, lowers us spiritually and diminishes our enjoyment. The solution is to engage in the physical world as a means to a worthy end — i.e. appreciating the greatness of God who created all.

(3) THE SEDER CONTINUES

A participant says:

In the Talmud, Rabbi Abbun said: In the next world, a person will be judged for all the fine fruit that he saw but did not eat.

Rabbi Elazar fulfilled this teaching. Although he was very poor, he saved up small coins which he kept in a special pouch, to purchase new fruits as they came into season. He tried to make a blessing over every kind of fruit at least once a year.

Why is one held accountable for not eating a new fruit when presented with the opportunity?

Because each life form, even fruit, is entrusted to a specific angel. By saying a blessing over a fruit, we empower that angel to reproduce more of that fruit. One who refrains from partaking of a fruit deprives the world of the spiritual influence that the blessing would have provided. ( Chemdat Yamim )

The Talmud says that someone who eats and doesn’t say a blessing is considered a thief. Why? Because every aspect of God’s creation is inherently holy. So when one eats a piece of fruit, he is depriving the world of a piece of holiness. A blessing re-infuses the world with holiness. Eating without a blessing, however, lowers the level of holiness in the world without replacing the loss — and is regarded as theft. (Maharal of Prague)

A participant says:

The Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Chassidut, was once visiting the home of Rabbi Yaakov Koppel. When Rabbi Yaakov danced in front of his Shabbos table for an hour, the Baal Shem Tov asked to explain this unusual custom. Rabbi Yaakov replied: Before I taste physical food, I absorb the food’s spiritual essence. In doing so, I become so excited that I sing and dance!

The leader says:

Everything in the physical world is a metaphor for a deeper spiritual concept.

Eating is to the body, what knowledge is to the soul. When we eat, we internalize the good part of the food — and through that we grow and develop. Similarly, when we learn a new piece of information, we must chew it over, digest it, and integrate it into our very being. Only then can we truly grow in wisdom and spirituality.

(4) GRAIN PRODUCTS

Now comes the part we’ve been waiting for: drinking wine and enjoying other delicacies!

Wheat and barley are the first two of the seven species connected to the greatness of the Land of Israel, as it says: A land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey (Deut. 8:8).

We begin by eating bread or cake. When Tu B’Shvat falls on Shabbat, it is appropriate to incorporate the seder into one of the Shabbat meals, using challah as the bread.

The leader says:

Before saying the blessing, let us pause and reflect on our good fortune. God has given us innumerable blessings, enabling us to enjoy this food. God could easily have arranged for humans to be nourished by photosynthesis like plants, or by eating bland oatmeal, or by taking pills. Instead, He created a seemingly endless variety of appetizing and nourishing foods for us to enjoy. He gave us taste buds, and many miraculous organs with which to eat and digest the food.

A blessing is a thank-you note to our Creator. The sages say: Who is the wealthy person? The one who is happy with what he has. The more we appreciate our gifts, the more sincere is our thanks, and the more sublime is our pleasure.

If eating cake or cereal, recite the following blessing:

Baruch Atah Ado-nai, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, boray minay mezonos.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates species of nourishment.

If eating bread, begin with the washing of the hands, twice on both hands and say:

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder-wash

As we raise our hands, we remind ourselves that the food we are about to eat — even though it was made by a human being — ultimately comes from God. As the verse says: He would feed him with the finest wheat (Psalms 81:17).

Without speaking from the time of the washing, we then recite the blessing on the bread:

Kabbalistic Tu B’shvat Seder-bread

A participant says:

The verse says: ‘When you eat the bread of the Land, you shall bring an offering to God’ (Numbers 15:19). This refers to the waving (tenufah) of the Omer. Tenufah can be read as tenu feh — give a mouth. The mouth is symbolic of the honor we give to God. Hence the Omer was waved to show that we give to God this mouth, since the chief praise of God is when the Jewish people give Him honor and glory.

Why was the Omer made from barley and not from wheat? Because barley ripens first. Wheat (chita) is the more perfect food, being symbolic of the elimination of sin (chet). There are those who say that wheat is the plant with which Adam sinned. ( Zohar – Balak 189a)

Meditation:

Savor each bite of the cake or bread. Appreciate that God loves us and created everything for our good.

(5) FRUIT

On Tu B’Shvat, we eat the fruit by which God Himself praises the Land of Israel. As the verse says: The trees have borne their fruit, fig tree and vine have yielded their strength. Children of Zion be happy, rejoice in the Lord, your God. (Yoel 2:22-23)

If you have a preference, eat the fruits in the order you most enjoy. Otherwise the order of eating should be: olives, dates, grapes, figs, pomegranates.

Say the following blessing and then eat one of the fruits:

Baruch Ata Adod-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz.

Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

If there is a seasonal fruit at the table which you have not yet tasted this season, say the following additional blessing before eating the fruit:

Baruch Ata Ado-noi, Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam, sheh-he-che-yanu vi-kee-yimanu vi-hee-gee-yanu laz-man ha-zeh.

Blessed are You God, King of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

Take each fruit one by one, as the appropriate paragraph below is recited. Enjoy the many unique flavors and textures. Reflect on the reality that the Creator of time and space wants us to take pleasure in everything that He put into the world.

Participants take turns saying the following paragraphs:

Olives:

God called your name ‘a green olive tree, nice and beautiful fruit.’ (Jeremiah 11:16)

Your children shall be like olive plants around your table. (Psalms 123:3)

Rabbi Yehoshuah Ben Levi said: Why is Israel compared to an olive tree? Because just as the leaves of an olive tree do not fall off either in summer or winter, so too the Jewish people shall not be cast off — neither in this world nor in the World to Come. (Talmud – Menachot 53b)

The Sages taught: Just as olive oil brings light into the world, so do the people of Israel bring light into the world. (Midrash — Shir HaShirim Raba 1:2)

Dates:

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree (Psalms 92:13). The righteous are fruitful and sweet, just like a date palm.

Your stature is like a palm tree (Song of Songs 7:8). Just as the palm tree doesn’t bend or sway, so too the Jewish people.

No part of the palm tree is wasted. The dates are for eating; the Lulav branches are for waving in praise on Sukkot; the dried thatch is for roofing; the fibers are for ropes; the leaves are for sieves; and the trunk is for house beams. So too, every one of the Jewish people is needed. Some are knowledgeable in Bible, others in Mishnah, others in Aggada (homiletic understanding of the Torah). Still others perform many mitzvot, and others give much charity. (Midrash – Bamidbar Raba 3:1)

Grapes:

Just as a vine has large and small clusters and the large ones hang lower, so too the Jewish people: Whoever labors in Torah and is greater in Torah, seems lower than his fellow [due to his humility]. (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 36:2)

Figs:

Rabbi Yochanan said: What is the meaning of ‘He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit’? (Proverbs 27:18) Why is the Torah compared to a fruit tree? Figs on a tree do not ripen all at once, but a little each day. Therefore, the longer one searches in the tree, the more figs he finds. So too with Torah: The more one studies, the more knowledge and wisdom one finds. (Talmud – Eruvin 54a)

Pomegranates:

Let us get up early to the vineyards. Let us see if the vine has flowered, if the grape blossoms have opened, if the pomegranates have budded. There I will give you my love.

If the pomegranates have budded. These are the little children who study Torah and sit in rows in their class like the seeds of a pomegranate. (Midrash – Shir HaShirim Rabba 6:11)

For discussion:

Rami Bar Yechezkel once came to Bnei Brak and saw goats grazing under a fig tree. Honey was dripping from the figs and milk from the goats — and they became intermingled. He said: Behold, a land flowing with milk and honey! (Talmud – Ketubot 111b)

Ask participants to share a story or experience he/she had while in the Land of Israel.

(6) WINE:

At the Tu B’Shvat seder, it is traditional to drink four cups of wine, similar to the Passover seder.

First Cup – pure white
Second Cup – pale pink (white with a drop of red wine)
Third Cup – darker pink (with more red added)
Fourth Cup – almost totally red (with only a drop of white)

A participant says:

White wine represents nature in potential. Red wine represents nature in full bloom. On this day, we begin to leave the winter behind and move into a period of renewal and life.

It is stated in the Zohar: Wine has two colors — white and red. White is from the right side [of kindness]; red from the left side [of strength and judgment].

As we progress from white to red, we move from potential to actuality. We are able to appreciate God’s judgment as well as His kindness. We see God’s design and goodness in the world with increasing clarity.

A participant says:

Wine rejoices the heart of man. This refers to the wine of Torah. Yayin (Hebrew for wine) equals 70, the numerical value of Sod, meaning secret. [Wine represents the hidden aspects of the Torah.] ( Zohar — Parshat Pinchas).

A participant says:

The Talmudic section dealing with agriculture is called trust in God. When a farmer plants a seed, trust in God gives him the strength to survive the winter. On Tu B’Shvat he begins to see that trust rewarded.

Similarly, when we plant a seed for personal growth, it requires trust and patience to survive the ‘cold,’ before we see the fruits of our labor.

We will now drink four cups of wine (or grape juice) in conjunction with four different categories of fruit. Each of these pairs correspond to each of the four spiritual realms (from lowest to highest):

action — asiah
formation -– yetzirah
creation -– briah
emanation of pure Godliness — atzilut

Each level becomes more spiritual and connected to the Creator. As we eat, we elevate the fruits — and ourselves — through the various levels, rising higher and higher.

A participant says:

The Almighty said: Although wine can be a source of trouble in this world, in the future I shall make it only a source of joy, as it says: ‘And it shall come to pass on that day, that the mountains will drip with sweet wine’ (Yoel 3:18). (Midrash – Vayikra Raba 12:5)

Pour the first cup of wine (all white):

All say the following blessing, and then drink from the wine (if you haven’t already done so during Kiddush):

Baruch Ata Adon-ai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-gafen. Blessed are you God, King of the universe who creates the fruit of the vine.

Slow down and really enjoy the taste of the wine. The most prestigious universities offer courses in wine tasting. There’s a lot to appreciate in life. Be a connoisseur!

The leader says:

We now eat fruits with inedible shells or peels. For example: nuts, pomegranate, oranges, avocado. The edible part of the fruit corresponds to perfection and purity, while the inedible is connected to deficiency and impurity. This is parallel to the realm of action (asiah), the lowest of the spiritual worlds — a world which is enveloped by materialism, just as the fruit is enveloped in its peel/shell.

A participant says:

Rabbi Tarfon compared the Jewish people to a pile of walnuts. If one walnut is removed, each and every nut in the pile is shaken and disturbed. So too, when a single Jew is in distress, every other Jew is shaken. (Midrash – Shir HaShirim Raba 6:11)

A participant says:

As it is the virtue of a nut to be closed in from all sides, so too the Heavenly Chariot which goes out of the Garden of Eden is hidden on all sides. And just as the four sections of a walnut are united at one side and separated on the other, so are all parts of the Heavenly Chariot united in perfect union — and yet each part fulfills a specific purpose. ( Zohar – Shmot 15b)

Meditation:

As you toss away the peels and shells, see one of your bad character traits (anger, impatience, etc.) being tossed away. In your mind’s eye, picture the bad trait as the shell. Then, as you toss it away, feel the trait leaving you. That’s not the real you. The real you is the fruit… delicious and nourishing. See the trait going into the garbage.

(7) CUPS 2, 3,4

Drink the second cup — pale pink (white with a drop of red).

The leader says:

We now eat fruits with inedible pits. For example: dates, olives, peaches, plums, cherries. This stage is comparable to the realm of formation (yetzirah).

The edible parts of the fruit represent holiness. Pits represent impurities which have penetrated the holiness.

As the color of the wine begins to gets darker, we can start to see potential turn into reality. The inedible part has now moved from the outside to the inside of the fruit. This is an advancement toward purity. In addition, the inedible part is no longer waste; it is a seed with potential to grow.

Meditation:

Imagine one of your bad traits as this seed. Really see it. Then, see that trait growing and developing into something great. This trait no longer holds you back, but propels you forward. Many great people have turned their faults into assets. You too can become great.

Drink the third cup of wine (dark pink).

The leader says:

Now we eat fruits that are completely edible: blueberries. This is the realm of creation (briah), the highest level in the created world. (The three lower worlds — asiyah, yetzirah, and briah — are referred to as ma’aseh bereishit, the act of creation. )

Meditation:

Things are coming close to their full potential. Even the seeds are now edible. They not only have future potential, but are also delicious and ready to eat right now.

Think about an area of life you would like to improve. Picture your ideal self. Realize that’s the real you. Now, for the rest of Tu B’Shvat, actually be that person. Act as if you’re already there. The experience can be transformational.

Drink the fourth cup (red with a drop of white).

The leader says:

We now taste the fruit on the table with the best fragrance. This is comparable to the realm of pure Godliness (atzilut). This level is called the ma’aseh merkava, the act of the Chariot. The prophet Ezekiel saw a Chariot in his vision relating to the mysteries of creation.

A participant says:

In Leviticus 23:40, the Esrog is described as pri aitz hadar — fruit of the majestic tree. The Esrog is the most spiritual of all trees, as it’s fruit and bark both have fine taste and smell.

On Tu B’Shvat, when all trees are judged, it is fitting to pray for a beautiful Esrog during the coming Sukkot.

A participant says:

The sense of smell is the purest and most elevated. It is through the nose that God invested Adam with a soul, as it says, God breathed into man’s nostrils a breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Since there is no perceptible physical matter to smell, it is the most spiritual and Godly of the five senses. Burning the fragrant incense was designated as the holiest act of the Jewish year — performed by the Kohen Gadol in the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.

(8) CONCLUSION

The leader says:

Eating 12 different fruits is significant, since this corresponds to the 12 different arrangements of the four-letter ineffable Name of God. Upon eating the 12th fruit, we recite the verse:

And they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, nor shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit each person under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Micah 4:3-4)

Eating 15 different fruits is also significant, since this is the numerical value of Yud-Heh, the Name of God which connects the physical to the spiritual, between this world and the next world. In the Holy Temple, the Levites would sing each of the 15 Shir HaMa’alot Psalms as they ascended each of the 15 steps.

After-blessing:

After enjoying all the wonderful pleasures that God has given us, we complete the process with a meaningful, heartfelt thanks to the Creator.

Those who ate bread say the full Grace After Meals. Otherwise, we say the three-faceted blessing — including the relevant lines for cake, wine, and/or fruit, plus the special insertion for Shabbat if applicable. The text of these blessings are found in the ArtScroll Siddur (www.artscroll.com).

A participant says:

Rabbi Abba taught: There is no more revealed redemption — no greater indication of the impending redemption — than that which the verse (Ezekiel 36:8) states: And you, mountains of Israel, you shall give forth your branches and you shall bear your fruit for my people Israel, for they shall soon come. (Talmud – Sanhedrin 98a)

Rashi explains: When the Land of Israel will give fruit bountifully, this is an indication of the impending redemption, and there is no greater indication than this.

Conclusion:

We come to the end of the Tu B’Shvat seder. We have only touched the surface of the true meaning of the holiday and of the significance of trees and fruit in God’s creation. That is the beauty of the Jewish calendar. Each year we celebrate the same holidays, yet each year we grow and develop many new insights.

The rest of the evening is spent singing and learning Torah. Next year in Jerusalem!

Published: January 26, 2003

Dry Bones Tu B’Shevat-5784

A Rare Opportunity to Plant Fruit Trees in Israel

Monday, 18 January 2021 https://www.brodyhealth.com/2021/01/hashem-is-so-fantastic-just-yesterday-i-posted-a-full-length-shiur-about-the-importance-of-fulfilling-the-mitzvoth-of-the-l.html

Hashem is so fantastic! Just yesterday, I posted a full-length shiur about the importance of fulfilling the mitzvoth of the Land of Israel, especially with Tu B’Shvat a week from Thursday. After the shiur, I had this gnawing feeling at my heart. As a lover of the Land of Israel and a tree-fruit farmer who has planted hundreds, maybe thousands of trees all over Israel, I can’t begin to explain the importance of planting fruit trees in settling our holy homeland. You see, a high-tech professional can work from his desktop or labtop anywhere, but a tree farmer has his hands, heart and entire life here in the Land of Israel. In fact, when you partner with a Torah-observant tree-fruit farmer in Israel, you also partner in the mitzoth of orlah, neta reva’i, trumah, maaser, shemittah and yishuv ha’aretz, settling the Land of Israel.

With amazing Divine Providence, my good friends at IsraelTrees.org, a branch of Zo Artzeinu, contacted me this morning and asked if I’d like to offer people the opportunity to plant fruit trees in the Land of Israel. They had to be kidding! Of course! Right now, farmers in Israel begin planting now for the upcoming Shmitta; you can share in this fantastic mitzva and in the blessing that goes along with it. But I made a deal with them – if anyone comes to them from my recommendation, they have to double the plantings. I don’t care how they do it, but they agreed – a deal’s a deal, and everyone’s a winner. Here’s your chance for a really meaningful Tu B’Shvat. When you order the trees, fill in the Promo Code box, “Lazer“, and you’ll get double the trees to your credit. Hashem says, “I will ordain My Blessing for you” (Leviticus 25:21); double the planting, double the Blessing!