TEMPLE TO CELEBRATE NEW YEAR FOR TREES WITH SYMBOLIC MEAL.Byline: Holly J. Andres Daily News Staff Writer Tree hugging won't be part of the Tu B'Shevat observance at Temple Ramat Zion on Sunday. But the Northridge congregation might feel so inclined after they take part in a hands-on celebration of the Jewish New Year for Trees. Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is an unusual Jewish holiday
A Jewish holiday or Jewish Festival is a day or series of days observed by Jews as a holy or secular commemoration of an important event in Jewish history. , said Rabbi rabbi [Heb.,=my master; my teacher], the title of a Jewish spiritual leader. The role of the rabbi has undergone a number of transformations. In the Talmudic period, rabbis were primarily teachers and interpreters of the Torah. Steven Tucker. ``It's not one of the most known holidays. A Jewish family would probably not observe it at home. In the past, what was customary was to plant trees around the synagogue synagogue (sĭn`əgŏg) [Gr.,=assembly], in Judaism, a place of assembly for worship, education, and communal affairs. The origins of the institution are unclear. One tradition dates it to the Babylonian exile of the 6th cent. B.C. or donate money for trees to be planted in Israel,'' said Tucker, who has been with the Conservative temple for seven years. Sometimes known as the Jewish Arbor arbor Garden shelter providing privacy and partial protection from the weather, most commonly a lightweight, latticed framework (trellis) of wood or metal with interlaced branches of vines or climbing shrubs trained over it. Day, Tu B'Shevat is one of the few ``New Year for . . .'' holidays mentioned in the Mishnah, which is the oral interpretation of scriptural scrip·tur·al adj. 1. Of or relating to writing; written. 2. often Scriptural Of, relating to, based on, or contained in the Scriptures. laws, compiled by rabbis List of rabbis. This is a list of prominent rabbis. Rabbis are Judaism's spiritual and religious leaders. See also: List of Jews. Rabbis: Pre-Mishnaic (Tannaim)
``In the 14th century, a group of Jewish mystics This article or section has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * Its factual accuracy is disputed. * It does not cite any references or sources. in Israel felt that more should be done to observe the New Year for Trees. They thought a Seder would be appropriate. The reason being, the mystics felt, that so wonderful are God's gifts to us, we should spend some time celebrating those gifts,'' Tucker said. The temple hasn't held a Tu B'Shevat observance in many years, Tucker said. But last year, at the request of a youth group member who had enjoyed a service with her group, he decided to make plans for a Seder this year. The hourlong hour·long or hour-long adj. Lasting an hour: an hourlong television episode. Adj. 1. service is similar to the Passover Seder The Passover Seder (Hebrew: סֵדֶר, seðɛɾ, "order", "arrangement") is a Jewish ritual feast held on the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover (the 15th day of Hebrew month of Nisan). . However, instead of incorporating ritual foods with a substantial holiday dinner meal, the Tu B'Shevat Seder is based around four cups of wine or grape juice and plates of fruit. The service, which could be performed at home, consists of eating three categories of fruits and nuts in a certain order. The fruits or nuts used may symbolically serve as a reminder to the participants of their connection to Israel. The essence of the Seder, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Tucker, is a symbolic four-part mixing of red wine or red grape juice into white wine or white grape juice. ``This dramatic visual mixing can show how we move from the icy cold of winter to the full richness of summer,'' the rabbi said. ``The message of the service is for the participants to have a renewed sense of thankfulness for the food we have, the fruits and vegetables that are in so many ways God's gifts to us,'' he said. Interspersed throughout the Seder will be thematic the·mat·ic adj. 1. Of, relating to, or being a theme: a scene of thematic importance. 2. stories and some secular songs. Cantor Ralph Goren, who will help lead the service, believes it will be an ``uplifting and fun event.'' The Byrds' ``Turn, Turn, Turn,'' based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, is a popular choice at Tu B'Shevat services. And Goren plans to sing Pete Seeger's ``The Garden Song.'' The price of admission to the event is something Tucker felt strongly about. He asked that every family attending purchase a tree through the Jewish National Fund that will be planted in Israel. A representative of the Jewish National Fund's Valley office, Judith Podolsky, will give a short presentation at the service. ``The Tu B'Shevat Seder is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the holiday,'' Tucker said. ``Children love it. It's a very enjoyable and fun service.'' The rabbi said he plans ``to emphasize a renewed spiritual connection with the land of Israel.'' ``We can have a great sense of joy, and we can give a great sense of meaning to our lives through this service that we weren't aware of previously,'' he said. ``If we accomplish that, we will be doing what the mystics wanted and hoped for when they proposed a Tu B'Shevat Seder.'' To have a tree planted in Israel in honor of, or in memory of someone, at $10 per tree, contact the Jewish National Fund, 6700 Fallbrook Ave., Suite 201, West Hills, CA 91307-3542. Call (818) 704-5454. The Tu B'Shevat Seder will begin 7 p.m. Sunday at Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. Call (818) 360-1881. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Rabbi Steven Tucker of Temple Ramat Zion will lead a Tu B'Shevat Seder for the Jewish New Year for Trees, a reconnection with nature. Myung J. Chun/Daily News |
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