vital information: Fwd: Join us this Monday at 12:00 noon EDT to hear Mrs. Rachel Besser

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Fwd: Join us this Monday at 12:00 noon EDT to hear Mrs. Rachel Besser

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: OU Women's Initiative <ashmidman@ou.org>
Date: Thu, Jan 23, 2020, 6:01 PM
Subject: Join us this Monday at 12:00 noon EDT to hear Mrs. Rachel Besser
To: <agentemes4@gmail.com>

You are part of a growing community of women joining together monthly on Rosh Chodesh for inspiration and connection.

The Gemara Rosh HaShana describes Tu B'Shvat as "Rosh Hashana L'Elan". Why does it say "Elan" - "tree" in singular and not in plural? Could it be that we are celebrating only one specific tree? The Bnei Yissachar answers this question. He says that by saying the word "tree" in singular, the Gemara is actually hinting to one specific, special tree. That tree is the Esrog tree. But why? He suggests that this tree is connected to a special Mitzvah - the Mitzvah of Lulov and Esrog.
But what is the message that we are supposed to learn from the connection between Tu B'Shvat and the Esrog? Are we really worrying about an Esrog way before Succos? We should be davening for our Esrog a few weeks before Succos - but not now ?! There must be a deeper message that we are supposed to learn from the connection between Tu B'Shvat and the Esrog.

Each one of the Arba Minim symbolizes a different part of the body - the Lulov is the spine, the Hadasim are the eyes, the Arovot are the lips and the Esrog is the heart. The heart is the main part of our emotional connection to Hashem. As it says in Shema, "BChol Levavicha" - we are charged to serve Hashem with all of our heart. In davening for an esrog, we are actually davening for a strong and meaningful connection to Hashem.
Tu BShvat falls out in the middle of a long winter season - it's been a long time from Succos, with a long way to go before Pesach. At a time when we may be feeling distanced from Hashem, Tu B'Shvat comes along with its spiritual Esrog message.

I look forward to meeting you virtually and being inspired together. Please join us this Monday at 12:00 noon EDT/7:00 pm Israel time to hear Mrs. Rachel Besser speak about Chodesh Shvat. Mrs. Besser is Chair, Nach Department, The Frisch School, Paramus, NJ.

Chodesh Tov,