- Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
Tu Bishvat
To the special page about Tu Bishvat
articles on Tu Bishvat
Tu B'Shevat-Renewal
Tu B'Shevat signals renewed vitalization in nature.
The Festival of the Land of Israel
The land and the people of Israel are connected together in an internal spiritual bond.
Some Laws Relating to Tu Bishvat
The custom is to eat fruits on both the evening and day of Tu Bishvat
The Wonderful Fruits of the Land of Israel
The excellence of the fruits of the land of Israel does not stem from their flavor, size, and beauty alone.
Lessons on Tu Bishvat
The Moral Benefits of Agriculture- Tu B'Shvat
The tanna R. Elazar writes that in the ideal world, all of us will participate in some form of agriculture, and that "a man without land is not a man". Aside from the mitzva of settling the Land of Israel, an overview of many quotes from R. Elazar will innovatively (but obviously) explain the many moral benefits (even in America!) of doing some gardening and having a deeper understanding of Tu B'Shvat.
Tu B'Shvat- Israeli Fruit's Vitamins of Holiness!
The Bach, Chatam Sofer and Rav Kook elaborate on the "Vitamins of Holiness" found in the produce of Eretz Yisrael, who's consumption brings us closer to God & spirituality. The class discusses practical applications of this idea, as well as explaining why we say Shir HaMa'alot/Al Neharot Bavel before bentching; why is it called "Canaan Land"; why there is detailed significance in the order in which we eat the 7 species of fruit of Israel; why the manna only stopped when we began eating Israel's produce; a in-depth analysis of the Al HaMichya blessing, and an unforgettably unique explanation of the term: "Land of Milk & Honey". For Rav Shvat's tune to learn Al HaMichya by heart, see: https://www.halachayomit.com/rabasalhamichya.html
Lessons
fast navigation
Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
Rabbis on Tu Bishvat
