A Sample Tu B'Shevat Seder

BEFORE THE SEDER

Below is a sample seder from the Jewish Telegraphic Association (JTA) that will help guide and prepare you for your own seder.

Necessary items are two bottles of grape juice (one white and one deep red), and four different types of fruits, the significance of which will be explained during the course of the seder. The types of fruits required are:

1. Those with a peel or shell that cannot be eaten, e.g., peanuts, kiwis, bananas;

2. Those that have a tough inner core and a soft outer part, e.g., peaches, plums, etc.;

3. Those that are completely edible, e.g., berries, grapes, etc.;

4. Seeds, e.g., sunflower or pumpkin seeds. The table should be decorated with flowers and plants.

Each place should be set with a plate and a clear drinking glass. This is because darker juice is added to the white during the service, the significance of which is explained below. During this seder, four "sips" rather than four cups are consumed. The different fruits (at least one type from each grouping) may be put on individual plates or on a common platter. The seder should have a leader, though everybody will take turns reading from a common "haggadah." Such a haggadah can be created by using the model below to which each family or group can add its own unique variations.

THE SEDER

Leader: God's greatest gift to the Jewish people was the Torah, which is compared to the Tree of Life.

Reader: And just as the Torah is likened to the Tree of Life, it is also true that many forms of life are dependent upon trees. The tree is also a symbol for a family such as our own. The roots symbolize our traditions, and the branches, children and grandchildren.

Leader: We continue the ancient Jewish tradition of a Tu B´Shevat seder by holding one of our own. We will begin with the drinking of grape juice. We will pour juice into our cups four times. Each color of juice reminds us of a different season.

Reader: The first cup is all white juice. It reminds us of winter, when the earth is often covered with snow. Let's all say the blessing over the juice:

Together: "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit of the vine."

Reader: On our table, we see that there are four types of fruits. They symbolize both the four seasons and the four elements of nature - earth, water, air, and fire. The first type of fruit has a peel or shell that can´t be eaten. It represents the earth. We eat these nuts and fruits with a hard skin to remind us of the protection that the earth provides, giving us shelter and food. It is up to us to protect the earth just as it protects us.

Leader: Let's all say the blessing over the fruit:

(Blessing for fruits that grow on trees): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that grows on trees."

(Blessing for fruits that grow on the ground): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that comes from the ground."

Leader: Now we're ready for the second cup of juice. We pour a bit of red into the white. This symbolizes the spring when the land changes colors and white becomes pink as the first flowers appear. Let's all say the blessing:

(Blessing for fruits that grow on trees): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that grows on trees."

(Blessing for fruits that grow on the ground): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that comes from the ground."

Reader: The second type of fruit has a tough inner core and a soft outer part. When we eat it, we remember that our "inner selves," our hearts and minds, have to remain strong even when our "outer cores," our bodies, are not. This fruit symbolizes water, the second element of nature. Water seems "weak," but it has great power. We're reminded that we need to protect the seas, lakes, and rivers from poisonous materials that hurt fish and people. Let's all say the blessing over the fruit:

(Blessing for fruits that grow on trees): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that grows on trees."

(Blessing for fruits that grow on the ground) "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that comes from the ground."

Leader: This third time we'll make our juice darker as we add more red juice. It reminds us of the summer when brightly colored flowers beautify the land. Let's say the blessing over the juice.

Together: "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit of the vine."

Reader: The third type of fruit is completely edible. This reminds us of the third element, air, because it has no barriers.

Leader: Let's say the blessing together and eat the fruit.

(Blessing for fruits that grow on trees): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that grows on trees."

(Blessing for fruits that grow on the ground) "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that comes from the ground."

Leader: The juice we add for the fourth and last time will turn our cups completely red. It reminds us of the richness of color found at the beginning of fall. Let's say the blessing together:

Together: "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit of the vine."

Leader: Now, instead of fruit, we'll taste seeds. Seeds represent the fourth element of nature-fire-which can be created by a particle as small as a seed. Let's eat the seeds and say the blessing:

(Blessing for fruits that grow on trees): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that grows on trees."

(Blessing for fruits that grow on the ground): "Blessed are You, God, who creates the fruit that comes from the ground."

Reader: Seeds symbolize life - and life includes hope and promise. Let's promise to do all we can to put an end to Ten Modern Plagues that threaten the earth and everything living on it:

Together: We promise to help fight: Acid rain; chemical and biological warfare; forest fires; herbicides; pesticides; radioactive waste; toxic waste; squandering resources; smog; and the killing of endangered species.

Leader: We can start small. Even as one family, there are things we can do to help. (At this point, each family member can promise to do something that is "nature positive," such as recycling household items, saving water by showering instead of bathing, turning off the tap when brushing teeth, building a birdhouse, etc.)

[Posted 1/2/03]