Old Ficus "Sderot" of the Boulevard at the Weitzman Institute of Science in Rehovot
Continuing a tradition of Arutz Sheva Tu B'Shvat photo essays that began five years ago, photographer Michelle Baruch shares a glimpse of Israel's trees withArutz Sheva readers in honor of the New Year for trees.
The 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat - January 30, 2010 this year - is the day on which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel begin to blossom, and a new fruit-bearing cycle is begun. In Jewish law, this cycle is important for calculating when a fruit of a young tree may be eaten (fruits may not be eaten from trees younger than 3 years old), and when fruits are considered produce of the shmittah year (the seventh year during which land must lie fallow).
In the 17th century, celebrated mystic Rabbi Yitzhak Luria of Tzfat instituted the practice of making a Tu b'Shevat seder (ritual meal) in which the fruits and trees of the Land of Israel were praised for their special intrinsic qualities and symbolism. The seder includes the drinking of four cups of wine (a parallel of the Passover seder) and the eating of various kinds of fruits - especially the seven mentioned in the Torah.
"For Hashem, your G-d, is bringing you to a good Land: a Land with streams of water, of springs and underground water coming forth in valley and mountain; a Land of wheat, barley, grape, fig, and pomegranate; a Land of oil-olives anddate-honey; a Land where you will eat bread without poverty - you will lack nothing there." (Deut. 8:7-9)
While the texts of the original seder were not recorded, modern versions of this kabbalistic Tu Bishvat seder have been revived in the Land of Israel, and it is now celebrated by many Jews, religious and secular. Many modern Israelis take the opportunity to praise the Land of Israel and express gratitude for being able to settle and cultivate the land again......Thank you Michelle Baruch for posting this tree.This old ficus tree stands at the enterance of the boulevard where the Weitzman Institute of Science is located in Rechovot, Israel.It is a beautiful campus with lovely well tended vegetation. It is the seat of great scientific inquiry in Israel. It is where I studied,worked and lived before I returned to the US and then studied medicine. I had long forgotten about this magnificent ancient tree that I would pass by daily and almost took for granted. It was there every day in its simple quiet ancient grandeur and wisdom. It was strong, steady. modest and always there .During a time in my life, that I felt ungrounded,uncertain, tenuous, searching, this ficus tree provided a sense of strength,comfort and resilience for me.I did not know if I would ever see this tree again and here I found it or" it has found me". I feel stronger,more grounded,more resilient, less tenuous , these many years later but still searching. Perhaps the ficus is still searching as its roots coil and creep into the crevices of the earth or as it bends and reaches its branches up towards the firmament.Sometimes one needs to borrow strength ,steadiness and when the time comes lend it to another.. Today is Tu B'shvat. It is a day to honor the rebirth of all growing things and beings as they begin to wake up from the dormant quiescent winter lull.It is a sort of "birthday of the trees.", "Chag La Illanot" in hebrew. I have added some photos of my own to honor the nobility and grace of all trees that serve us well,that we unknowingly depend on., that add dimension to our lives.It is a day to also honor all of us ,the caretakers of trees and all that grows by the fruit of our love and labor...
No comments:
Post a Comment