This week we celebrated Rosh Hodesh Shevat, the new month of Shevat which means that Tu B’Shevat, the 15 of Shevat, the new year of the trees is a mere 15 days away, even less now. Perhaps Rosh Hodesh Shevat took a back seat to our secular new year celebrations. Perhaps it got lost in coping with this long Chicagoland winter and several more inches of snow and now bitter cold. Usually I love winter. I like taking walks in fresh powder. I like coming in and sipping hot chocolate. I like ice skating and sledding and skiing. I like grilling steak or smoking a turkey in the snow. I like making snow ice cream. I like cooking soup or roasts or sauerbraten, pumpkin bread or gingerbread and filling the house with yummy smells. I grew up in New York and Evanston and Grand Rapids. I spent years in Boston. I am used to winter. I have coping skills.
This year I admit it, I am struggling with it. My coping skills are starting to fail. Really, drive in the snow to visit someone in the hospital? Really, shovel the driveway again? Really, do I have to train for my half marathon today? Can’t I just go back to bed and wake up when the storm is over? Really, should we cancel services for bitter cold or not? Really. When will spring come?
But then Rosh Hodesh Shevat comes. And I am reminded. The trees will bloom in Israel. The almond trees are blooming. There is a special blessing for seeing fragrant trees blooming. Blessed are You, Lord our G-d Ruler of the universe, who has withheld nothing from the world, and has created lovely creatures and beautiful trees for the children of Adam to enjoy. Barukh atah Adonai Eloheinu melekh ha-olam shelo ḥiseir ba-olamo k’lum uvara vo briyot tovot v’ilanot tovim l’hanot bahem b’nei Adam.
The rabbis argue about when to say it. Typically it is said in the month of Nissan. But it is permissible to say it anytime you see that tree bloom. So if it is in the month of Adar, say the blessing. If it is in the month of Tishri, or Cheshvan, say the blessing.
This week I saw an unusual sight. In the basement of the rec center garage, when it is -10 degrees, there is a cherry tree, in an orange pot. Someone in the city either must have used it indoors for a party or didn’t get around to planting it in the fall. And here’s the surprise. It’s blooming. Really, truly blooming. Right there in the dark of a garage.
So that is what Rosh Hodesh Shevet is about. It is about hibernating so that new growth can occur. It is about planting seeds indoors and watching them sprout. It is about recognizing the the days are getting longer, slowly, almost imperceptibly. It is about the hope that spring is coming.
So later today, when the snow is continuing to fall and the temperatures are so cold many schools have already cancelled classes for tomorrow that is what I will do. I will plant seeds, seeds of herbs to grow on my window sill, seeds for the birds in the bird feeder, seeds of programing ideas, seeds of love. And I will hope that spring really is coming. soon. But not before one more cup of hot chocolate.
I like the prayer for fragrant trees. He has indeed withheld nothing. Even this snow, while it is beginning to get annoying, there is a beauty to it. I sent photos of the snow to family in Florida. They saw the beauty and the calmness of the scene. Sometimes it takes someone looking in from the outside to remind us of what we have in front of us, and to help us appreciate it. (Of course, those in Florida don’t have to worry about shoveling and windchills.). On the other hand, a cousin shared pictures of her youngsters happy faces playing in the snow and making snow angels. I couldn’t help but smile!