Tu B’Shevat
Honi The Circle Maker’s Carob Delicacies
Published in The Philadelphia Jewish Voice One of the most beloved stories told during Tu B’Shevat is that of Honi The Circle Maker (Babylonian Talmud, Ta’anit, 23a). Honi was a great teacher who lived in Ancient Israel. He was known for drawing a circle on the ground and then praying inside it. He would not leave the circle until he was done. One day, he came upon an old man holding a shovel and a tiny sapling. Honi asked the old man, “Why are you planting this small tree? How long will it be before it can bear fruit for you to eat?” The old man responded, “This is a carob tree. It will take seventy years for it to give...
Read MoreHoni Comes Full Circle (A Tale for Tu B’shvat)
Tu B’shvat is the Jewish birthday of the trees. Here is a story from the Talmud about Honi the Circle Maker and the carob tree.
Read MoreNature’s Sweets For Tu B’Shevat
Published in The Philadelphia Jewish Voice Nut-fruit balls are nature’s perfect treat for Tu B’Shevat, the Jewish New Year for trees. These sweet and crunchy confections are also known as Sugar Plums in Europe, where they are a traditional Christmas treat. The earliest known recipes for these candies hail from Ancient Egypt. Dates, apricots, coffee, rice, lemons, sugar, and ginger did not arrive in Europe until after the Crusades. Fruit-Nut confections have been enjoyed during Tu B’Shevat since before the first century BCE. I like to celebrate Tu B’Shevat by indulging in all natural fruit and nut treats. This is my way of showcasing...
Read MoreThe Philadelphia Tu B’Shevat Adventure
Published in The Philadelphia Jewish Voice What do April 15th and Shevat 15th have in common? Both are tax days! Two thousand years ago, the 15th of Shevat was when the twelve Hebrew tribes paid tithes to the Levites in Jerusalem. Tu B’Shevat, the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat, is described in the Mishnah as the New Year for Trees. During the times of the Temple, fruit tithes would be calculated beginning on Tu B’Shevat. Fruit that grew on trees after the fifteenth day of Shevat was counted for the tithes that were due the following year. These tithes supported the Levites, helped feed the poor, and paid for Tu B’Shevat festivities in Jerusalem. Following...
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