163 Ahuza Street, Raanana, 43301, ISRAEL -- Telephone/Fax: (972)-9-7717080
THE NEW YEAR OF TREES
(Continued)
As previously mentioned, in many Sepharadi communities in Israel a special 'seder' is held at the table where blessings are said over wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives and honey. In the Diaspora, Hasidic groups arrange large fruit paties for which they try to obtain fruit from the Land of Israel.
The Role of Flowers on Tu Bi-Shvat
Tu Bi-Shvat is a festive day in Israel. School children go on outings to plant trees. Religious Sphardic families have a "fruit" seder at the evening meal. At the more elaborate tables, flowers are present.
A popular song played over and over on the radio and TV on this day is about the blossoming of the almond trees. People do sometimes decorate their living rooms with a small bouquet of flowers on this day, especially if they are having guests in the evening for the fruit "seder." However, more than anything else, it is the tree blossom that symbolizes Tu Bi-Shvat in Israel.
The tree blossoms are one of the first signs that spring is approaching in Israel. It sometimes rains on this day, usually a fine drizzle. The weather is pleasantly cool, but definitely not cold by European or American standards.
If you are invited over to someone's house for a fruit 'seder", then it is appropriate to bring some food for the meal. If you are living abroad, should you send a gift of flowers to relatives living in Israel?
The answer to this question is that it all depends on the customs in the Israeli branch of your family. If they are Sephardi and religious, then Tu Bi-Shvat is a special day to them and they would appreciate receiving flowers. If they are non-religious or Ashkenazi, then to them Tu Bi-Shvat is simply a nice festive day signalling the coming of spring. When most Israelis think of Tu Bi-Shvat, the first thing that comes to mind is almond blossoms.
For me, my most memorable experience on Tu Bi-Shvat was being invited over for a fruit "seder" at the home of some religious Persian friends. There are some family traditions which have a unique richness which must be experienced.
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