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MIZRACHI EDUCATORS TORAT MIZRACHI

R abbi R euven T aragin R abbanit Shani T aragin
Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin

Tu BiShvat and 2020 Hindsight:

Moonfulness and Mindfulness

wenty-twenty (20/20) clear vision, position is predicated on the potential day, should be meaningful in the pres-
knowledge and understanding, miracle of the oil, and therefore as each ent! If you find a delicacy on Wednes-
Tis colloquially reserved for those day progresses, the power of potential day, then bless Hashem and eat it on
who reflect upon events in hindsight, wanes. According to Beit Hillel, we cel- Wednesday, appreciating the goodness
for only then may we appreciate lessons ebrate the miracle manifest each day, manifest daily.
learned. augmented as the days progress. Our Sages have taught us to adopt the
As man is compared to a “tree in the Similarly, Rav Shlomo Zevin (LeOr halachic teachings of Beit Hillel’s mind-
field” (Devarim 20:19), Tu BiShvat 5781 HaHalacha, pp. 395–455) explains fulness while appreciating Beit Sham-
is a most opportune time for us to be another dispute between the schools mai’s perspective of future-minded-po-
more mindful of our growth over the of Hillel and Shammai relating to the tential. Tu BiShvat is a time to be mindful
past few months and anticipate immi- fire/light of Havdalah (Berachot 51b). of the present, the beautiful moonlight
nent blossoming for the future. Beit Shammai teaches that one should manifest in so many aspects of our lives.
Chazal teach us powerful messages of recite the beracha of ׁש ֵ א ָ ה רֹוא ְ מ א ָ ר ָּ ב ֶ ׁש It clarifies our vision and outlook and
reflection through the debate between (past tense and singular) vs. Beit Hillel helps us acknowledge the many bless-
Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai regarding who maintain ׁש ֵ א ָ ה י ֵ רֹוא ְ מ א ֵ רֹו ּ ב (present ings amidst the challenges of the past
the date of the New Year for Trees in tense and plural). Beit Shammai blesses months.
Shevat (Rosh HaShanah 1:1). Beit Sham- for the potential of fire created through As we celebrate the new trees in nature,
mai maintains that this new year is just one source during the six days of Cre- planting afresh, and as we move to a
like the other three roshei shana – all of ation, whereas Beit Hillel blesses for the post-Covid reality (speedily in our days),
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which begin on the first of the month. overt manifestations of light provided we recognize that the past few months
Beit Hillel states that the New Year for by the many hues of fire observed in the have helped us see “the extraordinary in
Trees should be celebrated on the 15th present. the ordinary... the present. Being mindful
of Shevat, just as we commemorate the Now we may appreciate the moon/light of nature can be viewed as a holy activity
agriculturally and historically oriented debate between Beit Shammai and Beit in itself. It can be a way to connect to
holidays of Pesach and Sukkot on the Hillel regarding the celebration of Tu the Divine.” 2
15th of their respective months of Nissan BiShvat. Beit Shammai maintains that May the “moonfulness” on Tu BiShvat
and Tishrei. we celebrate at the time of the New provide us with 20/20 hindsight to be
This debate may be understood through Moon – awaiting the potential process more mindful and appreciative of the
another well-known machloket between for waxing, growth and blossoming. Beit daily miracles of health and nature.
the Schools of Hillel and Shammai Hillel states that the new year should be “Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the
regarding the number of candles lit celebrated on the 15th of the month, at future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s
each day of Chanukah. Beit Shammai the time of the Full Moon. We should be called the present.” (Bill Keane). May we
maintains that we light eight candles on mindful of the light fully manifest (as for be zocheh to celebrate our G-d-given
the first night and descend in number Chanukah and Havdalah)! present.
each subsequent day, whereas Beit Hillel Beit Shammai focuses on the potential
teaches to light one candle on the first for the future – future miracles, future 1 Rosh Hashanah 14a: most of the rains have
night and ascend to eight candles by the fire, future moonlight, just as he lives come and now the fruit may blossom.
final night (Shabbat 21b). every day of the week for the upcoming 2 Dr. Jonathan Feiner, Mindfulness: A Jewish
Rav Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk (Beit Shabbat, putting aside every delicacy Approach, p. 100.

Yosef, Tur, OC 670)explains that already in anticipation of the highlight of the Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational
on the first day of lighting, the oil con- week (Beitza 16a). Beit Hillel teaches us Director of Mizrachi and the Director of
tained the potential for the ensuing seven to focus more on the moment – “Baruch the Mizrachi Matan Lapidot Educators'
days of miraculous light! Beit Shammai’s Hashem Yom Yom” – every action, every Program.

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