Dear Partners,
On Tu BiShvat the tradition is to hold a "Seder Tu BiShvat" with the best fruit from Eretz Yisrael. The reason it was named "Seder Tu BiShvat", "Seder" meaning order, is because there is a hierarchy and a specific order in which the blessings over food are said.
It is known that the order of the blessings of the fruits of the seven species is determined by the proximity of the fruit to the word 'Eretz' (which appears twice in the verse):
"ארץ חטה ושעורה וגפן ותאנה ורימון ארץ זית שמן ודבש" (דברים ח,ח)
Rav Kook, in his book "עין איה" explains that the love for Eretz Yisrael is the foundation of the Torah itself. That love is what pushes Am Yisrael and the entire world towards perfection, and therefore the order for blessing the fruit in which Eretz Yisrael is known and praised for, depends on the proximity of the fruit to the word 'Eretz' in the verse, to teach us, that anyone who has love, a deep connection, and makes more of an effort to settle the land of Yisrael has a priority for being blessed.
The Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora in the World Zionist Organization, is happy to share with you Seder Tu BiShvat in 10 different languages. To ensure that Jews in Israel and worldwide can take part in this special holiday that celebrates the love of Eretz Yisrael and the yearning to settle the land.
Tu BiShvat Sameach,
Roi Abecassis
Head, The Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora,
World Zionist Organization
Ariel Chesner
Director, The Center for Religious Affairs in the Diaspora,
World Zionist Organization
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