The Month of Shevat

If G‑d didn’t command me to feel joy, would I?

He plants seeds. Seeds of experience, seeds of challenge, seeds of tears. Seeds that make us think, “Why do I need to go through this experience or meet that person?”

I have learned with time and experience that when one doesn’t bend, one breaks, but at the same time, if not firmly grounded, it’s only too easy to knocked off your feet.

“Oh no, we must have missed the bus! Just go on the first bus that goes towards the city center and transfer,” I urged.

Tu B’Shevat signals a shift in season, a new year for the trees. But it is so much more than that.

If we are all fools before G‑d, how do we know what the correct path is?

I live in a neighborhood with a synagogue on every street corner. Still, I have a spiritual hunger that can be assuaged only by contact with nature.

Look at the long-term consequences, and try to base your reaction on that.

Tu B'Shevat is the day when the sap begins to rise through the tree. In other words, we can't see the fruit yet, but we are celebrating the process of growth itself...

The black and white pictures I have of them stare back at me asking me not to forget. Keep these pictures precious. This is my face, this is my family, and this is who you come from. We may have physically left the earth but your heritage is part of us. We are your roots...

Where does the Jewish obsession with food come from? Actually, there are some deep spiritual roots to the Jewish obsession with food- what, how, and when it should be consumed...

As I say goodbye to my young students and clean up from our fruit party, I begin to think about how Tu B'Shevat relates to us as individuals...

Actually, we don’t have to take it, exactly—we can share it with the kids.

Family life is a piece of art in of itself. It’s all about taking people, placing them on the same canvas, and making them interact in a way that creates a beautiful combination of personalities. It’s a display of the depth of life, giving a higher meaning and purpose to our existence . . .

Here are some great crafts you can do with your kids to celebrate the holiday of Tu B'Shevat...

With Tu B’Shevat this week, check out these great recipes that are not only delicious but healthy as well!

The first thing I was shown was her picture. Unquestionably, she was a very beautiful woman. She was stunning. And yet, there was something about her that was so graceful, so royal, so holy.

Near the park, we were forced to detour via a parallel street. At the next traffic light, the Rebbetzin said to me: “I heard a woman screaming. Can you go back and see what that was about?”

“Why are you asking forgiveness?” the Rebbetzin exclaimed. “My husband and I were sent to this world to serve people in need twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week...”

I want to teach my child that when we make a mistake, not only is that okay, but we should also take responsibility for the mistake. Otherwise, how will a person ever grow and change?