Dear TEE community,
In Judaism, trees hold profound spiritual significance, symbolizing life, growth, and the interconnectedness of creation. The Torah frequently references trees, starting with the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden, which represents divine wisdom and the potential for spiritual enlightenment. This imagery underscores the belief that trees are not merely physical entities but also embody deeper spiritual truths.
Trees are also associated with the Jewish people’s resilience and endurance. Just as trees weather storms and adapt to their surroundings, the Jewish people have historically demonstrated perseverance in the face of adversity. The Talmud teaches that a person should be as steadfast as a tree, rooted in tradition and values while reaching for the heavens.
This week we observe Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees. The form of our celebration, the Tu BiShvat Seder, comes from Jewish mystical tradition, which imagined the divine attributes through which God interacts with the world as a Tree of Life. This tree symbolizes our spiritual journey as we strive to ascend towards greater understanding and closeness to the divine.
The Seder reminds us of the importance of the physical environment for our spiritual growth. In contemporary Jewish practice, the Tu BiShvat Seder has become an opportunity to uphold our Jewish responsibility to care for the environment as well as honor the sacredness of creation.
This year, our Temple Emanu-El Seder will focus on the trees and their fruits which grow in our region, as a means of strengthening our connection to the landscape in which we live. I will be joined by TEE member Lauren Mohn, who is an ethnobotanist and deeply knowledgable about the plants that sustain us. I am excited about this opportunity to gain new perspectives on a familiar ritual. I hope you will join us!
Rabbi Drorah Setel