Dear Friends,
We Jews have many opportunities to mark time and reflect on days gone by. We likely think of Rosh HaShanah as the beginning of the Jewish year. But did you know that even Rosh HaShanah is not the only Jewish New Year? In fact, the Mishnah (Rosh HaShanah 1.1) describes four distinct dates that mark the New Year:
There are four days in the year that serve as the New Year:
• On the first of Nisan is the New Year for kings and for pilgrimage festivals;
• On the first of the month of Elul is the New Year for animal tithes;
• On the first of Tishrei is the New Year for counting years; for calculating special years of rest; for planting, and for tithing vegetables.
• On the first of the month Shevat is the New Year for the tree, according to the words of the School of Shammai; But the School of Hillel say: The New Year for trees is on the fifteenth of Shevat.
As our Confirmation students have learned this year, in ancient disagreements between the schools of Hillel and Shammai, the wise and gracious Hillel almost always wins. So it is in this case: our celebration of the holiday of the trees takes place on the 15th of Shevat (Heb.: Tu BiShevat), this year corresponding to January 16. It seems strange to observe a Jewish Arbor Day when the bite of winter is still very present. But in Israel, the rainy season is in full force at this time of year; farmers and nature enthusiasts alike anticipate the first blossoms of spring, just around the corner.
The first century sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai teaches, “If you have a sapling in your hand, and someone should say to you that the Messiah has come, stay and complete the planting, and then go to greet the Messiah.” (Midrash Avot de Rabbi Natan, 31b)
I believe Rabbi Yochanan intends to teach us that even as we gaze expectantly toward a brighter future, we must not discount our own role in bringing that future about. Hence, when it comes to planting for tomorrow, even the Messiah can wait. What a radical thought! I offer my heartfelt thanks to the many teachers, volunteers, lay leaders, as well as our incredible and dedicated staff — all of whom are working hard to plant the seeds of a bright future for TBT. What we plant today has unlimited potential. That bright future may be closer than we think.
Bivracha (With Blessings),
Rabbi Moss