Tikkun Tu Bishvat at the Kotel – On the eve of Tu Bishvat of 1970, a new custom started at the Kotel that was maintained for many years. Despite blessed rains, a great number of people gathered during the night with the Rabbi of the Western Wall, Rabbi Meir Yehuda Getz, and made a seder Tu Bishvat as was the custom of mekubalim.
The following morning, Rabbi Getz wrote in the Kotel diary: “At the end of the seder, I distributed bags full of fruit to every learner, as well as to the security personnel. A public ‘kiddush’ was made for all of us. May we merit a good and blessed year, a year of redemption and the arrival of our righteous Messiah, amen.”
“Is the tree of the field a man” (Deuteronomy 20, 19)
There are those who interpret this verse as showing the similarity between man and trees that look to the sky, grow, and pray.
Also, during the chalakeh (upsherin) ceremony, we connect to the similarity between ma and trees. Just as the tree waits three years for “orla” so the custom goes to wait until the age of three for a child’s first haircut, a common and accepted tradition among many Jewish communities.
“When you come to the Land and you plant any food tree, you shall surely block its fruit [from use]; it shall be blocked from you [from use] for three years, not to be eaten. And in the fourth year, all its fruit shall be holy, a praise to the Lord.” (Leviticus 19, 23-24)
Happy Tu Bishvat!
For information on making your chalakeh / upsherin ceremony at the Kotel, click here >>>
