Tu B'Shevat Parable

Talmudic Reflections for Tu B'Shevat

A man was journeying in a desert. He was hungry, weary, and thirsty. He found a tree whose fruits were sweet, its shade pleasant, with a stream of water flowing beneath it. He ate of its fruits, drank from the water, and rested under its shade. When he was ready to continue his journey, he said, "Tree, O Tree with what shall I bless you? Shall I say to you, 'May your fruits be sweet'? They are already sweet. That your shade be pleasant? It is already pleasant. That a stream of water may flow beneath you? Lo, a stream of cool water flows already beneath you. Therefore, I say, May it be God's will that all the shoots taken from you will be like you."                         Bavli Ta'anit 8a-b

Much like the man in the parable, we are on a journey through the desert. The Israelites found sustenance from God and faithfully collected manna from Heaven six days a week. It is not always easy to recognize the oasis in the desert; sometimes it appears to be a mirage. On this holiday of Tu B'Shevat, I pray that with God's help we can open our eyes to recognize the blessings in our lives and that like the well watered, shady fruit tree in the parable, that our saplings continue to enjoy and share those blessings.

May you and yours have a restful, and fruitful, and enjoyable New Year of the Trees.

Penn turns tables on BDS

  Last weekend while many of us were preparing to celebrate Tu B'Shevat and watch the Super Bowl, there was a BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions against Israel) conference on the U-Penn campus. Many of us were happy to hear Professor Alan Dershowitz speak last Thursday night about Israel's strong track record on human rights. In fact Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East and she supports a robust press. In fact nowhere will you find more freedom of expression than in Israel.

     I want to thank my friends for helping to facilitate the live stream presentation of Professor Dershowitz interview on the large screen in our sanctuary. We would have attended the interview in person, had it not been sold out. In fact while 200 people, including 30 students, attended the BDS conference thousands of people heard Professor Dershowitz and 300 hundred student supporters packed the Invest in Israel Party the next day (at Smokes) where $5,000 was raised for the One Family Charity. In addition, 48 students hosted 800 guests for a Shabbat Dinner last Friday night featuring a D'Var Torah focused on Israel.

     Because the college campus environment is a place for the free exchange of ideas, that is where some of the most passionate debates about Israel take place. Even though the BDS movement's leaders were able to exercise their freedom of speech and slander Israel, the Jewish community lead by Penn Hillel and the Philadelphia Federation were able to tell the truth about Israel without resorting to confrontational debates. This might not be the case on another campus. Every university has its own unique culture and a constantly changing student body.

     In our religious school and Israel Forum classes we help our students to understand why Israel is unique and has a right to exist. We seek to become knowledgeable about Israeli current events and conversant with her culture, language, and history. That doesn't mean that we necessarily have to agree with every decision that the democratically elected government makes and that doesn't mean that we deny the Palestinians their culture or history. In fact we seek to peacefully coexist.

     One of the best ways that we can support Israel is by making friends, creating bridges of understanding, and finding common cause with our non-Jewish neighbors and with diverse peoples of other backgrounds. Please set aside the afternoon of March 25^th for our second annual Salute to Israel program at the congregation.  

Princeton Exhibit

This anti-Semitic drawing of helicopters and bombs painted with a blue Magen David falling on the mosque in Gaza went on display at Princeton in the student union building yesterday. Guess if there are pictures drawn by Israeli children sheltering in bunkers in Sderot included in the exhibit? Israel needs our support. Please make plans to attend our salute to Israel rally on March 25th from 2-4pm and help us contribute to another ambulance for Magen David Adom.

Be Happy

You may have heard Bobby McFerrin or the even more "laid back" Bob Marley singing, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."  But the "original" Hebrew song has been sung at Purim celebrations for years in Synagogues around the world.  "Mishenichnas Adar Marbim Besimcha," goes the snappy jingle, meaning, from the start of Adar our joy increases.  But did you ever wonder why we are commanded to Be Happy during the Hebrew month of Adar?  Rashi explains that just as our joy is reduced in the month of Av because of the destruction of the Temple and exile, our joy is increased in Adar because of our salvation by God, first on Purim and then on Pesach. (Ta'anit 29A). 

This Wednesday night from 4:30-7 PM we'll be reading the Megillah and enjoying the Purim shpiel from"Diary a Wimpy King" performed by our students.  Not to mention the goldfish, games, hotdogs, and hamentashen.  In chapter 9, the reason for our joy become clear.  We are told that we should transform our grief at almost being annihilated by Haman into rejoicing.  We are to make the 14th of Adar a holiday celebrated "in every generation, by every family, in every province and city.  It is a day of feasting and merrymaking; a time to send gifts to one another and presents to the poor.  These days of Purim shall never cease among the Jews, and shall never perish from amongst their descendants." 

Well now that we understand why we're to be happy during the month containing Purim, I'm left wondering what about the next month of Nisan?  We'll be slaving away cleaning and preparing for Pesach.  Songs of liberation aside, how shall we stay happy then, and the rest of the year?  Mary J. Blige gave us an answer when she crooned, "All I really want is to be happy."  She says that joy comes from loving someone, and receiving love in return.  To that Grammy worthy advice I'll add these two pearls of wisdom: Don't take life or yourself too seriously (so come in costume)  and always be on the lookout for things that make you laugh and smile (I guarantee you'll find this year's performance hilarious).

Hag Purim Samayach,
Rabbi Molash Niktolp