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Tu B'Shvat: a Mystical Interpretation
 | The Kabbalists teach that with the simple act of eating fruit on Tu B'Shvat we "rectify" the sin of Adam and Eve. To understand the dynamics of this cosmic repair, we most first explore the mystic significance of pleasure...
I love to be uplifted by Torah words; but I don't want to feel guilty about the wrongdoings of Adam and Eve. G-d created them and they were supposed to have been innocent and holy. Besides, the older I get, the less I understand. So if Adam and Eve did wrong, how much more wrong we are blamed for. I am a child of Holocaust survivors. There was enough pain, enough guilt. I seek now the balm of Torah with joy. I'd like to be comforted, not blamed and nor suffering. I'd like to enjoy G-d's gifts, and stop living with guilt and fear of wrongdoing.
Rabbi & Rebetzin Ferris's Berkeley Chabad Tu'BShvat Seder was an uplift and a joy. May we be priviliged to see the sparkles from the Torah and live with happiness, laughter, in peace.
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I feel that this article gives over an uplifting message. It confirms that the torah view of pleasure and enjoying gods gifts is our right and commandment given that we make that blessing and celebrate the giver.
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Although I enjoyed much of this article, I was left feeling robbed of my prayers.
I have been saying brachot over food for 13 years with much joy. I celebrate Tu B'Shevat every year with a seder, to bring down God's creative spirititual renewal through the Tree of Life.
Ever since I read this article, I have felt a twisted feeling in my stomach every time I eat. I think, "should I say a bracha? if I do, I will connect with God and release the divinity in this food. if I don't, I will be selfish and eating for pleasure, and the food will not nourish my soul." These thoughts have led me to anger, not holiness. My previous joyful practice of praying over my food has become twisted into guilt, obligation, and ultimately resentment.
I feel you have diminished the experience by trying to define it. This small-minded understanding of prayer will chase people away from Judaism and reduce the beauty of their heart-felt prayers.
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Of the two comments posted here, I see that two (both anonymous Californians) are bothered by the guilt aspect. The NY commenter seems fine with that. The easy way out is to say it's a west coast/east coast thing.
Or could it be that the author himself hasn't yet discovered the chassidic way of serving G_d with joy? After all, this is not the only article at this site that tells this secret of redeeming sparks with a blessing--and yet it is the only one that has elicited such a response.
At any rate, it's almost Purim. Let's all be happy.
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Beautiful and powerful. A deep message that I needed just at this time.
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There is no guilt for the sin of Adam & Eve. It is a blessing to know that we can connect with G_d just by giving thanks for the wonderful gifts on this earth that were created just for us. This article only confirms how much G_d loves us and wants us to be happy. All G_d wants in return is for us to acknowledge Him as a loving Father who is the source of all our Joy!
Peace.
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i am reading martin buber these days and the idea that there are three present in every connection between people Surely the connection to earth also includes the connection to god so that our connections can be I -thou rather than I-it Every day is a celebration of earth for me as a vegeterian and yet it is taking time to think deeper beyond the here and now that makes us spiritual seekers and finders thank you for the insightful article rabbe Adam and eve should not make us feel guilt but be a lesson to how to acheive true paradise on earth that involves all of what it means to be human .
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how lovely to contemplate how the simple act of enjoying G-d's creation by eating fruit and being grateful for His provision, brings one into closer relationship with G-d and that doing so with others brings us closer to Tikkum Olam (repairing the world).
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Where is the source that eating of the fruits of Tu Bishvat is coming as an atonement and Tikkun for the sin of Adam and Eve?
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