The
Baal Shem Tov, or Besht — the founder of Chasidism —
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Birkat Ha-ilanotThe month of Nisan is filled with remarkable moments, but the one that touches me the most deeply is the blessing of the fruit trees. This blessing is traditionally said when one is in view of at least two flowering fruit trees anytime through the end of the month, this year until next Monday May 5th (though it can still be said in Iyar – or in Tishrei down under). The brakhah goes like this: "Blessed be You, Yah our God ruler of space and time, for God left nothing lacking in God's world, and created in it good creatures and good trees, giving pleasure through them to the children of Adam." ברוך אתה ה' אלהינו מלך העולם שלא חסר בעולמו כלום וברא בו בריות טובות ואילנות טובים להנות בהם בני אדם The connection is even more powerful in the midrashic interpretation of the statement in Deuteronomy 20, Ha'adam eitz ha-sadeh, "A person is a tree of the field" (that is, a fruit tree). (The statement in context is really a question.) For Kabbalah, a fruit tree is as true an image of God as a person is (see below as well as the blessing from P'ri Eitz Hadar). The reason why is that a fruit tree embodies the principle of sharing, and is a more perfect model for how God interacts with the world than human beings can be. The Sefirot are also thought of as a fruit tree. Why are two trees necessary rather than just one? I haven't heard an explanation, but one reason is that the trees need each other to reproduce, at least on the species level (most fruits—except dates and a few others that are gendered by tree—can also fertilize themselves). The halakhah specifically forbids saying the blessing over trees that are grafted from one species onto another – there is an idea of appreciating the awesome reality of this world in itself, separate from human "chokhmahs" and power. Here are some quotes about fruit trees from Tanakh, midrash and Kabbalah: This one, your body, was like a palm tree, and your breasts clusters [of dates]. I said, I will climb up that palm tree, I will grab its branches. May your breasts be like clusters [of grapes] on the vine, the scent of your breathing like apples. And your mouth like good wine, going straight to my lover, lubricating sleepers’ lips. I am my lover’s, and his desire is upon me. Song of Songs 7:8-11 See also neohasid.org's pages on Tu Bish'vat and on Shavuot first fruits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ |
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Design in progress © Rabbi David Mevorach Seidenberg 2006 |