Notes from Cantor Avima

     As we experience the snowiest week of our winter so far, it is hard to believe that in Israel the almond blossoms will begin to appear in a matter of weeks. Wildflowers and poppies will begin to pop up in the landscape. Tu Bish'vat, the "fifteenth of the month of Sh'vat" is a day to celebrate trees, produce of trees: fruit and nuts, nature, and the land of Israel. There are so many Hebrew songs about Trees. Here is a beautiful song sung by Achinoam Nini. The original poem was written by the Israeli poet Leah Goldberg and set to music by Achinoam Nini (also known as Noa). Ilanot - L. Goldberg / Achinoam Nini

     Here is a beautiful song based on Leviticus 19:23. "When you enter the land and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden." The torah teaches us that for the first three years, we are not to eat from the fruit of a tree. In the fourth year all its fruit is set aside and, finally starting in the fifth year we can use the fruit of a tree. These laws in the torah are actually the basis for Tu Bishvat - the calendar date according to which we measure the age of a tree. Ki Tavo'u

     Trees are often used in love songs. Take for example this song where a lover imagines himself as a tree and the object of his love as the wind. "If I were the tree and she  the wind, and she were to kiss me... " Tapuach Chinani - Dudaim

       The song "Ya'aloz Sadai" from Psalms is one of the best songs of Nava Tehilah, the renewal congregation in Israel. "Let the fields and forest sing for joy." Ya'aloz Sadai, Nava Tehilah

      I can't resist offering this American Tu Bishvat song by Schlock Rock... I think you will recognize the tune. Schlock Rock Tu Bishvat

     Here is my favorite children's song by Dean Friedman (NOT related to Debbie Friedman). Tu Bishvat Dean Friedman sung by Cantor Ross Wolman. So, go hug a tree,  eat some nuts or enjoy some fruit and remember to appreciate trees on Tu Bishvat and every day!