A Seder for Tu B’Shevat - טו בשבט סדר

The first item on this sheet is a List of Items needed for a Tu B'Shevat Seder

  1. Yahrzeit Candle (25 hour Candle preferably colored white)
  2. Shabbat Candles if Shabbat
  3. Bottle of White Wine or Grape Juice
  4. Bottle of Red Wine or Grape Juice
  5. Glass of water
  6. Fruits and nuts categorized as follows:
  7. A cake or cookie
  8. Some bran cereal that can be eaten without milk. A granola bar with Bran will work well.
  9. A Bencher for the Final Blessing.
  10. Twelve small Bread or Chalot (6 male and 6 Female - See below in the section titled Blessing Over the Bread).

Until we have time to put the following recipes on this page, here is a list of recipes that you may request from yeshshem.com for the Tu B'Shevat Seder.

  1. Wheat- Couscous Salad
  2. Barley- Barley Spice Muffins (mini)
  3. Mini Baklavas (walnuts & pecans)
  4. Orange Cake
  5. Etrog Cake
  6. Almond & Olive Oil Cake
  7. Easy Corn Mushroom Soup – uses Cream of Mushroom & Cream style Corn
  8. Duncan Hines Carrot Cake Mix makes great cupcakes.
  9. The children like the Dirt Cake as a dessert.

According to Kabbalah, there are four worlds or levels of creation:

  • Atzilut (Emanation),
  • Beriah (Creation),
  • Yetzirah (Formation), and
  • Assiyah (Action—our world of physical reality).

The world of Atzilut is purely spiritual and cannot be symbolized in any concrete way.

The world of Beriah is symbolized by ten fruits that have neither pits on the inside nor shells on the outside—that is, they are totally edible: grapes, figs, apples, etrogim (citrons), lemons, pears, raspberries, blueberries, carobs, and quinces. (Seeds are considered edible in this system.)

The world of Yetzirah has pits inside, but the outside can be eaten. Its ten fruits are olives, dates, cherries, jujubes, persimmons, apricots, peaches, loquats, plums, and hackberries.

The world of Assiyah has an outside shell that must be discarded and an inside that can be eaten. Its ten fruits and nuts are pomegranates, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, coconuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, and pecans.

The symbolism in brief is as follows: Those parts that can be eaten represent holiness, the inedible parts—that is, the pits—represent the impure, and the shells serve as protection for the fragile holiness inside.

If you are unable to get a particular fruit do not worry as it is not necessary to have all the fruits.

Historical Background for the Holiday and the Seder

What is Tu B'Shevat?

We will give some meanings of the Holiday below that deal with the history and surface meaning of the Holiday. First, the essence of the Holiday comes from the essence of the Hebrew word Tree.

There are two words in Hebrew Aitz עץ and Elan אלין. To my knowledge the words are interchangeable in Modern Hebrew. Yet we know in Biblical Hebrew there are no synonyms. So these words must have two different meanings. When we look at the gematria Aitz has a gematria of 160 or 161 with the Colel. 161 is the same gematria of the 13th Attribute of Mercy called Venakay. This word connects to Cleansing. We know the 13 Attributes connect to the world of Atzilut, as they were taught to Moshe as the method of cleansing the Sin of the Golden Calf.

Elan has the gematria of 91 which represents the unity of the physical world and the world of Yetzirah or the world we typically call the spiritual world. What creates unity between disparate items like spiritual and physical? It is the tool called Binding by Striking or Restriction.

In essence, we learn that the Tree is the tallest living thing on the earth. Why does it grow so tall? It is to demonstrate to us that its essence is Binding by Striking. That is the energy and essence that we are able to connect to from the Holiday of Tu B'Shevat.

It is the name of a Holiday from the Jewish calendar. The name Tu is spelled Tet Vav and represents the number 15. The name Shevat is the name of the 11th Hebrew Month (5th month counting from Tishrai and the High Holidays).

In the Talmud it tells us that there are 4 New Years in the Hebrew Calendar. The First is Aleph Nissan.and is the New Year for Kings; The second is Rosh Hashana in the month of Tishrai. This is the New Year for human beings; the third is Tu B'Shevat and is the New Year for the Trees; and the fourth is the New Year for Animal Tithing and occurs on the first of Elul.

A new year represents a time of hope and a time of new beginnings. It also represents many other things as we will discover.

During Temple times, more than 2000 years ago, Tu B'Shevat marked the beginning of the new year for calculating Ma'aserot (tithing). In that period of time we followed the Sabbatical cycle of 7 years. Our Ma'aserot donations went to the Levites and depending of which year in the cycle part went to the poor and part to a festive celebration in Jerusalem. Remember we all went to Jerusalem 3 times per year.

Let's explain a little about tithing and the meaning of Ma'aser. Today we refer to this as tithing because it relates to the word As'ser which means 10. In the Torah when Jacob awoke from his famous dream of the Ladder he vowed to give Hashem 10% of what he had if HaShem fulfilled his promise. At least that is what the surface story says. Actually, tithing comes from the adage that Malchut the lowest Sefirah has no Light of its own. The Kabbalists explain that therefore not everything we receive from Hashem belongs to us. 10% has no light for us. Therefore we either give it away by choice, in which case it will be returned to us,or the universe will tax it away. Examples of this tax are large medical bills, legal fines, speeding and parking tickets and the like, as well as time spent at red lights or stuck in traffic.

Why do we observe Tu B’Shevat with a Seder?

The mystical sages of Safed (foremost among them was Rabbi Isaac Luria known as "Godly Rabbi Isaac" or ARI using the first initials of the Hebrew expression), in the 16th century, understood God as a tree of life, whose roots were in the heavens, and whose branches extended toward earth, bringing all of us life and blessing. This was a holy time, a day of enhanced energy, an opportunity to partake of the fruit of the trees, and to thank God for the wonder of renewed life for the universe. They organized a “Seder for Tu B’Shevat” at which they drank four cups of wine and 7 different kinds of products from the Land of Israel. These products are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. 5 of these grow on Trees. Yes, a grape vine is considered a Tree for the purpose of saying a Blessing.

In 1653 the first liturgy, a collection of readings and rituals for Tu B’Shevat, was published in Salonica (Greece) under the name Pri Etz Hadar פרי אץ הדר - (Fruit of the Goodly/Citrus Tree). Although the identity of the author is unknown, it is generally assumed to have been Chaim Vital, the main student and disciple of the Ari (Rabbi Isaac Luria), the most well-known Kabbalist of Safed.

The basic concept behind the ritual is to increase the flow of God’s emanations/blessings into the World. By eating the various kinds of fruits with the proper intention, we aid in the renewal of our world from the divine Tree of Life.

In the Salonica liturgy two legends are related concerning Tu B’Shevat. The first states that an angel hits the head of every plant on this day saying to it: “Grow.” The second believes that, on this day the trees embrace. Anyone seeing that embrace will have his or her wish fulfilled.

Some barren Jewish women, believing in the power of sympathetic magic, would plant raisins and candy near trees, or embrace trees on Tu B’Shvat, at night, praying for fertility. Young girls eligible for marriage were brought to trees where an imitation marriage was enacted. If shortly after, buds were found on the tree to which they were ‘married’ they knew their turn would soon come. In some areas the Tu B’Shevat celebrations were held in the homes of families who had lost a beloved during the past year, to remind of the prohibition of mourning on that day, and also of the renewal of life from the trees being parallel to the resurrection.

Rituals from around the world

Here are some unusual rituals followed on Tu B'Shevat from around the world.

In southern and rural Morocco, the rich would invite the whole town to their homes and fill their hats with fruit. In Persia there was a custom of climbing on the roof and lowering an empty basket through the chimney which would be returned laden with fruit. In Turkey there was a custom where each member of the family would have a special relationship with one species of fruit. In Persia and Afghanistan, Jews on Tu B’Shevat would purchase new fabrics from which clothing for Pesach would be sewn. Another custom performed ‘in anticipation’ was to eat jelly made from the last Sukkot’s etrog, and then to pray for etrogim of fine quality for the coming Sukkoth.

Blessing upon seeing fruit trees blooming for the first time in the year

This is usually done by the observant Orthodox sects during the month of Nissan. This is because "they run to do a Mitzvah" and this Mitzvah is done only once per year. Since the year starts during Nissan, they try to do it as early as possible in the year.

If you have not said this Blessing, please do so. You may also keep this section to say as soon as possible in the New Year that starts on Aleph Nissan.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם שלא חסר בעולמו דבר וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טוביםלהנות בהם בני אדם

Transliteration

Barukh ata Adonai, Eloheinu melekh ha-olam sheh lo kheesehr b’olamo davar, U’vareh vo briyot tovot v’ilanot tovim l’hanot ba-hem b’nei adam.

Translation

Blessed are you King of the Universe, who has withheld nothing from this world and has created beautiful creatures and beautiful trees in it, so that we may delight in them.

Tzadikim Connection

Our Tzadikim are not dead according to the teachings of Kabbalah. Their bodies are in their Kevers (coffins in the grave). On Rosh Chodesh (First of the Hebrew months) and also on the 15th day of the Hebrew months (like today) the souls of the Tzadikim return to the bodies and are available to help us by providing a stronger channel to the Light of the Creator.

The recommended ritual is to say the names of the Tzadikim and then say "In the merit of these Tzadikim i light this candle." The names are available at this link:

Avraham Avinu; Itzhak Avinu; Israel Avinu; Chanoch Ben Yered; Noach Ben Lemech; Shimon Bar Yochai; Rabbi Itzhak Luria the ARI; Rabbi Yehudah Ashlag; The Baal Shem Tov and many others referred to as Kol HaTzadikim;

Now light the 25 hour candle. Many people also add the names of their departed loved ones prior to the lighting of the candle. There is no blessing said. Just the names of the Tzadikim and the departed loved ones from one's family.

Candle Lightning

If Tu B'Shevat is on Shabbat this section will be completed

Kabbalistic Information

According to Kabbalah, there are four worlds or levels of creation: Atzilut(Emanation), Briah (Creation), Yetzirah (Formation), and Assiyah (Action—our world of physical reality).

The world of Atzilut is purely spiritual and cannot be symbolized in any concrete way.

The world of Briah is symbolized by ten fruits that have neither pits on the inside nor shells on the outside—that is, they are totally edible: grapes, figs, apples, etrogim (citrons), lemons, pears, raspberries, blueberries, carobs, and quinces. (Seeds are considered edible in this system.)

The world of Yetzirah has pits inside, but the outside can be eaten. Its ten fruits are olives, dates, cherries, jujubes, persimmons, apricots, peaches, loquats, plums, and hackberries.

The world of Assiyah has an outside shell that must be discarded and an inside that can be eaten. Its ten fruits and nuts are pomegranates, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, coconuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, and pecans.

The symbolism in brief is as follows: Those parts that can be eaten represent holiness, the inedible parts—that is, the pits—represent the impure, and the shells serve as protection for the fragile holiness inside.

(from The Jewish Holidays, by Michael Strassfeld)

The categories of fruits may symbolize three kinds of interpersonal situations also.

Entering an unfriendly or anxiety-producing atmosphere, one is guarded, externally armored, as it were. The shell is on the outside, like the fruits of Assiyah.

In friendlier surroundings, but superficial or entered with some reservations, there is more interpersonal contact and exchange, even some degree of affable sharing, but the very private self remains surrounded by the inner shell, like the fruits of Yetzirah.

In certain special situations of deep trust and intimacy, however, the inner self is revealed and shared with another; at this moment of I–Thou there is no inner shell, like the fruits of Briah.

Please spend a few minutes thinking about these words and which people in your life exemplify these categories.

(E. G.*) The author is uncertain but a strong possibility is Everett Gendler

Kabbalah uses the Tetragrammaton spelled יהוה as a metaphor for the 4 worlds. They also use these four letters as meditative tools that allow one to travel between the worlds as well as to the worlds.

During the Seder, the four cups of wine will connect to the Tetragrammaton as a meditative tool of unification. The first cup of wine connects to the Yood; The second to the Upper Hey; the third to the Vav; and the fourth cup of wine connects to the Final Hey.

There are two ways for the Seder to be performed. One connects to the Direct Light flow of the World of Atzilut flowing down to the World of Malchut (Our physical world) and the other connects to the Returning Light flow of the below to above - to the flow created by Binding by Striking. They both are correct. We will connect to the Direct Light as we want to start and/or strengthen the flow of Beneficence into our physical world.

Kabbalistic Kavenah when saying a Blessing

This section will be completed as time permits.

Blessing Over Bread

One of the 7 species associated with the Land of Israel referred to in both Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew as "The Land" הארץ is wheat חטה. Wheat is pronounced Chita in Hebrew and has a gematria of 22. 22 represents the energy of all 22 Hebrew Letters.

When one eats Bread which is made from any of the 7 species of grains one has the responsibility to wash hands (a spiritual ritual) prior to saying the Blessing over the Bread and then immediately to say the Blessing Over Bread which includes dipping the bread 3 times into salt. Some of the salt particles will stick to the bread. When this is done no other Blessings are necessary to be said, although on Holidays additional Blessings may be said. This is not true on Days that are not Holidays.

Kabbalistically adding salt to the Bread is creating a Center Column in the Tree of Life since salt represents the Right Column of Sharing and Bread or Wheat represents the Left Column of Receiving. By mixing the two together we create the Center Column.

If one decides to have Bread at this Seder meal, it is recommended that one also utilize the Bread to go to war (the root of the word Lechem (bread)) against the Desire to Receive for One Self Alone. This is done by having 12 Challot (loaves) of Bread (6 long loaves and 6 round loaves) placed with the Male (long) on top of the female (round) loaves. The male loaves represent the Yood and Vav from the Name of HaShem called the Tetragrammaton. The Female loaves represent the Hey's from the Tetragrammaton. They are placed One Tetragrammaton (4 loaves) on the Right; One Tetragrammaton (4 loaves) on the Left and One Tetragrammaton (4 loaves) in the Center. The kavenah is to utilize these 12 Challot to take control of the 12 signs of the Zodiac in order to have victory in today's battle in this ongoing war.

Here is the Blessing for Hand Washing

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם אשר קדשנו במצותיו וצונו על נטילת ידים

“"/Transliteration

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Asher Kidshanu BeMitzvotav Vetzivanu All Natilat Yadayim.

Translation

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with his Mitzvot (Connection Tool) and given us the responsibility to spiritually cleanse our hands.

Here is the actual Blessing over the Bread

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם לכם מן הארץ

Transliteration

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Lechem Min HaAretz.

Translation

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates Bread from The Land.

Blessing Over Wheat Other Than Bread

One of the 7 species associated with the Land of Israel referred to in both Biblical Hebrew and Modern Hebrew as "The Land" הארץ is wheat חטה. Wheat is pronounced Chita in Hebrew and has a gematria of 22. 22 represents the energy of all 22 Hebrew Letters.

Here is the actual Blessing over the Cookie or Cake

This also applies to products made from Bran.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא מינה מזונות

Transliteration

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Menay Mezonot.

Translation

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates the Nourishment of Baked Foods.

Wine - One Cup

Before you pour a cup of wine, add 3 drops of water to the bottle. This will allow you to get high but will stop you from becoming drunk tonight. Why is that ? Water is a sharing item while wine is a receiving item. Adding this sharing energy to the wine creates a Central Column which then limits its negative impact on human beings. At least this is what the Kabbalists teach.

This is not the first cup of wine tonight. It is the One cup of wine tonight. In Genesis, the story describes the creation. It says, "There was evening and there was morning Yom Echad (One Day)." Why does the verse not say the more normal Yom Rishon (First Day)? It teaches us that everything is included in this cup of wine.

This is a cup of wine that is white wine or grape juice. It is white to show its purity and clarity. This is the wine that connects us to the World of Atzilut. This world is so refined that there is no fruit within our physical world that reflects this purity. In the physical world the light must be protected from the negative system. This protection is the Klipah (shell or skin or peel) protecting from the Klipah (the negative system). In the World of Atzilut there would be no peel; no protection of the fruit. There is no negativity that would take something that belongs to another. There is no negativity that lacks the certainty that the Creator will provide for it and be concerned with taking what belongs to another. This is true even for energy. Each bit of energy knows to which vessel it belongs. In the World of Atzilut, The energy always goes to the correct vessel. Not like in the physical world where we might receive a thought for a new business, or a new creation, or even marrying a woman or man that belongs to someone else. As we drink this cup of clear wine let's meditate on the Letter Yood with its connection to the word Yad which means Hand. Let's meditate on the Creator and the closeness we can feel by being in purity of our intentions.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

Transliteration

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

or the less used pronunciation:

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hajaphen.

Translation

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates the Fruit of the Vine.

First Song

Singing is an important part of the connection to the Creator.

It is recommended to sing the Song of the Sea every day. Most Minyans say the words. The Sage Sfat Emet (approx 1800's) teaches that when we sing we join all of creation in singing praises to HaShem. He continues teaching that the effect of our singing does Teshuvah for all of the destruction in the world.

HaShem has created a myriad of living things. The song that is song by each species; by each world; by each universe is unique. Every human being is considered a world unto itself. When humans sing; they do not need to sing in a unified fashion. So sing a song you know. Sing with the intention of being unified whatever the sound. Even singing Ya Ya Ya is a song.

This first song represents both hope for the future and a unification with the present.

While you sing, meditate on the letter Yood which is the smallest letter in the Hebrew Alef Bet. The Yood represents the union of God and Man through the attitude of humility.

אם תרצו אם תרצו אין זו אגדה אין זו אגדה להיות עם חפשי בארצנוארץ ציון וירושלים

Eim Tirtzu, Eim Tirtzu, Ain Zoe Agada, Ain Zoe Agada, LiYot Am Chafshi BeArtzanu, Eretz Tziyon VeYerushalyem:

If you will it, it is no dream;

If you will it, it is no dream;

To be a free people in our land,

In the land of Zion and Jerusalem:

Words by Theodor Herzl and Naftali Herz Imber

Meditation

The modern state of Israel was founded due to the vision of Theodor Herzl and others of the previous generations. The Modern State was founded in The Land as fulfillment of many of the Prophecies in the Books of Prophets.

Actually, the modern state is founded on two principles of Zionism that are mutually exclusive. One is that "we want a country like all other countries" and two, "we want a country that is a Jewish State."

The modern state of Israel is truly a hope for the future and has become a powerful economic engine in the present. The hope for the future is that eventually the population of this country will choose a government which will be based on Torah Law and that the Sanhedrin will be recreated. Until the Tribe of Judah - the Jewish people unify this would be premature. Unification can only be achieved when there is an appreciation for the diversity of the Creation.

Discussion and Meditation

What do you hope to change? About yourself? And how will that change the world?

Wine - Second Cup

This is not the first cup of wine tonight. It is the second cup of wine tonight. In Genesis, the story describes the creation. It says, "There was evening and there was morning Yom Sheini (Second Day)." What is positive about the number 2? What is negative about the number 2?

Here is a Hint!

The positive aspect and the negative aspect are the same thing!

Pour a second cup of wine. Pour from the white bottle but add 3 drops of red wine to the glass. Notice how the red spreads through the purity of the white and changes its color.

This is a cup of wine that is white wine or grape juice. Yet it looks different then the first cup. This is to show the influence of the lessening of the light as we reduce our purity with the 3 drips of red wine. Know also that our desire is increasing as represented by the red wine coming from the left side of the Tree. This is the wine that connects us to the World of Briah (Creation). Olam Briah represents the Mind and Intellect. It represents the limited aspect of our consciousness in relation to the unlimited aspect of our unconscious. One of the actions we are to do in this physical world is to expand our consciousness by revealing more of our unconscious by becoming more aware of our true motivations.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

or the less used pronunciation:

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) Hashem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates the Fruit of the Vine.

Our First Plate of Fruit

We are in the World of Briah. The fruit that has its root in the World of Briah has an edible peel with an edible pit or seed. These fruits usually have multiple seeds as well.

Here is a list of the fruits that potentially are on this plate.

grapes, figs, apples, etrogim (citrons), lemons, pears, raspberries, blueberries, carobs, and quinces.

Seeds are considered edible in this system, whether people choose to eat them or not.

When we eat a fruit the first time in a season we say an additional blessing in addition to the Normal Blessing for that fruit. This additional Blessing is called Shehechianu after the first significant word in the Blessing. This Blessing is a Thank You to the Creator. We are expressing appreciation for being alive this long.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי העץ

Transliteration

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAitz

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Some Fruits do not grow on Trees. For these kinds of Fruits we say a different Blessing. Depending on what you eat you may find it appropriate to say one of these two Blessings or even Both Blessings.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי האדמה

Transliteration

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAdamah

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the Ground.

Shehechiyanu

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

Transliteration

Barukh Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha’olam, she’heh.iyanu v’ki’yemanu v’higi’anu lazman ha’zeh.

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

Second Song

As long as we are thinking about Unity amidst diversity, let's sing Henai Ma Tov.

Discussion and Meditation

The 37th Name in both the 72 Names of God and the 72 Names from the Tzadikim is the same letter sequence אני . This sequence spells the word Ahnee in Hebrew. This word Ahnee means "I". The same letters in a different order spells the word Aain אין . Aain is the Hebrew word for nothingness. The process of Binding by Striking is a paradox where we transform separation into unity. What this actually accomplishes for an instant we transform our "I" or our ego into Nothingness. This is what actually creates unity. Let's take a minute to transform our egos into Nothingness as the method of becoming ONE with HaShem.

Wine - Third Cup

It is the third cup of wine tonight. In Genesis, the story describes the creation. It says, "There was evening and there was morning Yom Shelishi (Third Day)." This cup is one half white and one half red wine. Its appearance is rosy.

This rosy wine connects us to the World of Yetzirah. The world of Formation. Olam Briah represents the volatility of the emotions. We have many emotions, and we have many levels associated with each emotion. Some of our emotions are strong, some are weak, some are intense, some are slight, some are pale, and some are colorful. We have many emotions just as we have many types of fruits of varied colors and shapes and tastes.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

or the less used pronunciation:

Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hajaphen.

Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates the Fruit of the Vine.

Our Second Plate of Fruit

We are in the World of Yetzirah. The fruit that has its root in the World of Yetzirah has an edible peel with an inedible pit or seed.

olives, dates, cherries, jujubes, persimmons, apricots, peaches, loquats, plums, and hackberries

When we eat a fruit the first time in a season we say an additional blessing in addition to the Normal Blessing for that fruit. This additional Blessing is called Shehechianu after the first significant word in the Blessing. This Blessing is a Thank You to the Creator. We are expressing appreciation for being alive this long.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי העץ

Transliteration

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAitz

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

Some Fruits do not grow on Trees. For these kinds of Fruits we say a different Blessing. Depending on what you eat you may find it appropriate to say one of these two Blessings (HaAitz or HaAdamah) or even Both Blessings.

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי האדמה

Transliteration

Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAdamah.

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the Ground.

If you are eating a fruit that you have not eaten recently you may find it appropriate to say the Shechiyanu prayer.

Shehechiyanu

ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

Transliteration

Barukh Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha’olam, she’heh.iyanu v’ki’yemanu v’higi’anu lazman ha’zeh.

Translation

Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

Third Song

This is a good time to sing the Song of the Sea called Shirah HaYam or Az Yahir Moshe.

  • Text of the Song of the Sea
  • Discussion and Meditation

    Many times during the day an Orthodox Jew saying his prayers say the Verse Poteach Et Yadecha. The translation of this phrase is "Open Your Hands (to receive all the energy in the Aleph Bet which is the word Et). The first letters of this phrase spell the Name of God Pey Aleph Yood פאי . This Name has a gematria of 91; the same as the word Elan or Tree in Hebrew. Let us "open our hands" to receive all that HaShem wants to share with us during this next year of the Tree - This year of strengthened Binding by Striking.

    Wine - Fourth Cup

    It is the fourth cup of wine tonight. In Genesis the story describes the creation. It says "There was evening and there was morning Yom Revii (Fourth Day)." This cup is all red wine or grape juice.

    This all red wine connects us to the World of Assiyah. The world of Action. Olam Assiyah represents the fullness of Life. Life is varied and full of pleasures. It is up to us to reach out and take all that we desire. It is up to us to do this as a form of Good Deeds or Mitzvot through our Torah Study and Acts of Tzedakah and other acts of Chesed.

    ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי הגפן

    Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

    or the less used pronunciation:

    Baruch Atah Adonai Elohaynu Melech HaOlam Boray Pari Hagaphen.

    Blessed are You (Alef to Tav flowing into the Hey of Malchut) HaShem, Our ultimate Judge, King of the Universe, Who creates the Fruit of the Vine.

    Our Third Plate of Fruit,

    We are in the World of Assiyah. The fruit that has its root in the World of Assiyah has an outside peel that must be discarded with an edible pit or seed.

    pomegranates, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, chestnuts, hazelnuts, coconuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, and pecans

    When we eat a fruit the first time in a season we say an additional blessing in addition to the Normal Blessing for that fruit. This additional Blessing is called Shehechiyanu after the first significant word in the Blessing. This Blessing is a Thank You to the Creator. We are expressing appreciation for being alive this long.

    ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי העץ

    Transliteration

    Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAitz

    Translation

    Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

    Some Fruits do not grow on Trees. For these kinds of Fruits we say a different Blessing. Depending on what you eat you may find it appropriate to say one of these two Blessings or even Both Blessings.

    ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם בורא פרי האדמה

    Transliteration

    Baruch Ata Adonai Elohainu Melech HaOlam Boray Pri HaAdamah.

    Translation

    Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who creates the fruit of the Ground.

    If you are eating a fruit that you have not eaten recently you may find it appropriate to say the Shechiyanu prayer.

    Shehechiyanu

    ברוך אתה יהוה אלהינו מלך העולם שהחינו וקימנו והגיענו לזמן הזה

    Transliteration

    Barukh Ata Adonai Eloheinu Melekh Ha’olam, she’heh.iyanu v’ki’yemanu v’higi’anu lazman ha’zeh.

    Translation

    Blessed are You God our God, Ruler of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season.

    Fourth Song

    We are getting close to the end of our Seder. If we have time we will sing 2 Songs. One song is The National Anthem from the modern state of Israel. It is called HaTikvah which means The Hope. Hope for the future. Hope for the present. What are your Hopes?

    The second song that is our final song of the night is Shir Hashirim. This song celebrates the unity of the Jewish people with HaShem using the Love affair between a Man and his Bride. Depending on your state of consciousness, have the Kavenah of your unity with the Jewish People and your Love for God or just Your Love for your spouse and family or your love for Your future Spouse if you are not married.

    Discussion and Meditation

    The 45th Name of God in both sets of Names is סאל . In a different order these words spell Lasa which is the Hebrew Word for Yoke. Let us spend a minute to understand that when we transform our ego to Nothingness and connect to God, we are accepting the Yoke of Torah and the Yoke of Service to God upon ourselves by our Free Choice. Or perhaps not, as we all have Free Choice as part of the beneficence of HaShem.

    Please note that the word for Man Adam has a gematria of 45.

    Blessing After Wheat or Grain Products

    It is customary to elevate the sparks that we have just put into our bodies to the Sefirah of Binah which is the Energy Storehouse. This spiritual energy will be available to us when we need it. Please procure a Benscher to say this Final Blessing

    Blessing After a Meal of Bread

    It is customary to elevate the sparks that we have just put into our bodies to the Sefirah of Binah which is the Energy Storehouse. This spiritual energy will be available to us when we need it. Please procure a Benscher to say this Final Blessing