January 25th-27th 2021 – Every hand will plant, and every heart exalt: Tu B'Shvat
This year, I feel happier than ever about the renewal of nature. The regular pace of the seasons is a reminder that despite the chaos in the world of human beings (due to that silly Covid virus, but not entirely…), nature continues its normal routine of winter-spring-summer-autumn. Enveloped in this routine is the true hope that the chaos and instability will cease, and human beings, too, will regain equilibrium, growth and renewal.
This awakening of nature and the sweet promise instilled within it, along with the abundance and fear that the promise may remain unfulfilled, made Tu B'Shvat a day of special liturgical poems and prayers. These mark the joy of giving thanks for nature’s abundance which the Lord bestows, celebrated in a tasty banquet of local fruit and its natural juices and sweet delicacies.