Tu B’Shvat Seder with Hazon

Last week 7th Graders were visited by an educator from Hazon! Hazon is at the forefront of an evolving conversation about how American Jewish life can be strengthened by engagement with food, the outdoors, and the environment. Hazon came and did a Tu B’Shvat Seder with the 7th graders, they learned about the symbolic foods we eat during the holiday.

We first drink white grape juice to symbolize winter. The first fruit we eat has to be hard on the outside and edible on the inside. The hard shell symbolizes the protection that the earth gives us and reminds us to nourish the strength and healing power of our own bodies.The second cup of grape juice is mostly white with some red mixed in, to symbolize the passing of the seasons. The second fruit we eat has a pit, there were many dates to go around! This fruit symbolizes the life-sustaining power that emanates from the earth. It reminds us of the spiritual and emotional strength that is within each of us. The third cup of grape juice is mostly red and slightly white to symbolize the change of season.  The third fruit is soft throughout and is completely edible, such as figs, grapes, and raisins. This type symbolizes God’s omnipresence and our own inextricable ties with the earth. The fourth cup of grape juice is red, symbolizing the mystical concept of fire and the idea that within all living things dwells a spark of God. The fourth fruit has a tough skin on the outside but sweet fruit within–mangos, bananas, avocados, or sabra, a desert pear–and symbolizes the mystery of the world and our study of Torah. We are constantly seeking to uncover her secrets, and are continually nourished by her fruits. We are looking forward to continuing the conversation about the environment this week in class!