Today is Tu Bishvat, the Jewish holiday that centers a spiritual connection with the land and reminds us of our obligation and oportunity to care for it. As part of the Seder I led this morning for Own Your Judaism and Tikkun Ha-Ir, I offered the following reflection questions for each of the four cups of grape juice and then a fifth question specifically for trees.
1st Cup: We often associate winter with barrenness. What blessings do you find in winter, in emptiness?
2nd Cup: As we connect last year with this year through the rebirth of spring, what do you want to carry forward with you from last year, and how can that form into a mindful practice?
3rd Cup: Growth is a gradual process. What is something that you have taken for granted in your growth, and how can you practice gratitude around it?
4th Cup: This is a cup symbolizing hope. What can you do to make the earth and the world–the litter ground–better and closer to our ideal?
Bonus Reflection on Trees: How do trees inspire you?
May this Tu Bishvat allow us to appreciate the gifts of the land and rededicate ourselves to its care and sustenance.
