Trees, Fruits and Love

What is the blessing we should say for that moment when the hole has been dug, the earth put to one side and the seedling or seed is gently lowered into the earth? What is the blessing for planting trees and seeds? The answer is - there isn't really one. We bless when we eat the first ripe fruit or vegetable from our harvest. It does feel a bit odd though, for something as important as planting to have no way of sanctifying it. Some speculate that it is because the outcome of the act of planting (the harvest) is so distant and so many different factors influence the growth and maturity of a plant. Because the end results are so uncertain, and the road there impossible to predict, we therefore cannot bless. 

Others use the shehecheyanu prayer- ‘for having kept us alive, preserved us, and enabled us to reach this season’, words that draw attention to the gratitude we might feel in being present in a particular moment. And yet others suggest saying ‘oseh ma’aseh b’reshit, blessing God for the continued unfolding of creation.

And yet others suggest that a seed, and the act of planting it is a prayer in itself. 

And so last Sunday 20 adults and children cleared the ground, shovelled compost and pushed many wheelbarrow loads to and from the front of Wolves Lane Centre to plant approx 35-40 dormant saplings of wild pear and wild cherry, helped by Max and Cath from the centre. Despite the grey and cold weather, working together and planting this hedgerow which will provide shelter and food for wild animals, felt like a form of a prayer. We left feeling refreshed, partly because of being outside in the fresh air, partly for having done an act of tikkun olam, and partly I think for the connections we created while we did it.  

Tu B’shvat today is about gratitude rather than its original use as a day for deciding which fruit trees were old enough to be harvested and tithed. It’s a day for planting or appreciating new seeds or trees, and for blessing and eating fruits and nuts. This year it overlaps with Valentine's Day, or its other iterations as Galentine’s or Palentine’s Day. Though we might  be sceptical about the commercialisation of a day of celebrating love, I think we can find a sweet and poignant link about celebrating love and connection in all its forms.

We will be celebrating Tu B’shvat with a special seder this Friday night, drink the four cups of the seasons, and be reminded of the sweetness of the year through fruits and nuts.

And so this Shabbat - wherever you are - is a wonderful reminder to show gratitude for the relationships we have and to think about what you would like to plant and see grow, whether in a relationship or in your garden.