Tu B'Shvat: a Mystical Interpretation
By David Aaron
 | 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...
5 Comments Posted
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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