Jewish Holidays

Precisely in these days - the days between Pesach and Shavuot - it is fitting to place special emphasis on improving our behavior and displaying respect for others.

The month of Nissan resembles the heart. The heart sustains everything, sending blood to all of the body's organs. Regarding Nissan it is written, "Safeguard the month of spring," for it symbolizes the return of life to the trees after their long winter dormancy.

Matzah is unadulterated by admixtures, like the clothing of the High Priest on Yom Kippur, simple white apparel with no trace of gold. Wearing these plain clothes he enters the Holy of Holies.

Ours is a Haggadah of destruction and exile. In exile it is not possible to place appropriate emphasis on the national goal. Thus, it becomes necessary to emphasize the centrality of personal, individual worship of God.

The greatness of Purim lies in the fact that it is a mundane day, an ordinary day. It reflects our true level. On Purim we deal with existence as it is, without any of the special defenses that set apart other holy days.

The holiday of the trees in 15th of Shevat, according to the other new years.

The act of planting of fruit trees in the Land of Israel, beyond possessing obvious Jewish and Zionist significance, is a way of clinging to God and walking in His ways.

On Tu BiShvat we affirm that the connection between Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael is absolute and eternal, a Divine connection, and that nobody and nothing can separate the People of Israel from their land.