Page 11 - HaMizrachi_Tu_Bishvat_2020_USA_HP_Neat

RETURN

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon A MUTUAL

A Sign of a Blossoming Land

at a Time of Redemption

u BiShvat is first mentioned in to the Land of Israel. So when the Therefore, the flourishing of the Land
the Mishna in Rosh Hashanah: Zionist Movement began returning during the Geula era stems from a
T“There are four New Years… to Eretz Yisrael, Tu BiShvat then combination of human endeavor,
on the 1st of Shvat, the New Year for became a day of tree planting, with and of siyata diShamaya – Divine
Trees, in Beit Shammai’s opinion. Beit the aim of making the desolate land assistance. G-d opens the door,
Hillel says, on the 15th.” blossom and encouraging people causes the conditions to be ripe for
to dwell in it. Making the desert Am Yisrael’s return to the Land and
Why does the New year for Trees its subsequent growth (i.e. historical,
specifically fall in Shvat? Rashi blossom complements the words political changes, technological
of the Prophets concerning the
explains: “Because the winds of the Redemption period (e.g. Yeshayahu advances that enable agriculture in
rainy days – the time for fruitfulness – desert conditions, and more), while
has passed, and the resin in the trees 35:1-2, Yechezkel 36:8, Yoel 4:18, Amos Am Yisrael, for its part, needs to open
9:14-15).
has risen and the fruits ripen from its eyes, see the new possibilities, hear
now.” In other words, the fruits that The flourishing and blossoming pf the voice of G-d calling us to return
grow after Tu BiShvat are definitely the Land symbolizes the process of to the Land, and take action – return
fruits that grew from the natural Geula (Redemption) unfolding before to Israel, work the Land and observe
resources of the new year and hence our eyes. For thousands of years, Eretz G-d’s commandments. That is how we
they are considered fruits of the new Yisrael stood barren, and now, once make the desert bloom and become
year. This has halachic significance the Jewish people began returning partners in advancing the Geula.
regarding the mitzvot dependent on to its Land, the Land has begun to
the Land: orla, bikkurim, teruma, bloom, exactly as the Prophets foresaw Tu BiShvat, the New Year for Trees,
ma’aser rishon, ma'aser sheini, ma’aser thousands of years ago. The pioneers which for generations was a day of
ani and shemitta. understood these verses as a practical commemoration of Eretz Yisrael and
assignment – they had to work hard, its fruits, has become a day of great
Throughout the years of exile, there with their bare hands, to make the significance with the return of Am
was almost no significance to Tu desert bloom, and to settle the Land Yisrael to its borders, not only from a
BiShvat, since the Land was desolate of Israel. However, from the verses one halachic perspective, but mostly from
and there were no fruits with which can see that the success in making the a symbolic one – this is the day that
one could fulfill the mitzvot dependent Land blossom is not only technical symbolizes the blooming of the barren
on the Land. However, there were but also very much part of the signs Land of Israel through her children’s
customs to eat fruits from the Land beckoning the Redemption. During return, a sign of the Geula gradually
of Israel on this day (Magen Avraham the Geula period G-d will bestow a developing before our very eyes.
131). In the 17th century, the Sages special blessing which will allow this
of Tzfat composed a “Seder for Tu blossoming to occur.
BiShvat Night,” during which they
gave divrei Torah and praised the The flowering of the Land emphasizes
Land and its produce. The aim of the unique connection between Am
this custom was to bequeath a love Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael. The Land
for the Land to the Jews in exile remained barren as long as the Jewish
and to quicken the Redemption. people remained in Exile, and began to Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches Tanach
Thus, Tu BiShvat became the day bloom and grow as soon as the Jewish and is Content Editor for the Tanach website
that expresses a yearning to return people began to return to their roots. www.hatanakh.com/en

| 11