The Month of Shevat 5766
~~~
Miriam Ben-Yaacov

The Hebrew month of Shevat, Rosh Chodesh Shevat, is January 30, 2006.
This year we celebrate Tu b’Shevat (Shevat 15), the New Year of Trees, on February 13.
The first day of Rosh Chodesh Adar, Shevat 30, is February 28.

He made the letter Tzadi king over anger
And He bound a crown to it
And He combined one with another
And with them He formed
Aquarius in the Universe
Shevat in the Year
And the Korkeban in the Soul
male and female.
--Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation)

When Yaakov blessed the tribes, of Asher he said:
Through Asher his food will become rich, and he will yield royal delights.
--B’reshith (Genesis) 49:20

Moshe blessed the tribe:
Blessed of sons Asher;
He shall be the desired of his brother
and dip his foot in oil.
Iron and copper will be your closure
and your loss of strength will accord with your days.
--Dvarim (Deuteronomy) 33:24-25

In the month of Shevat the nation of Israel celebrates the New Year of Trees, planting new trees in the Land. In keeping with the “soul-experience” of the month, we think of the Tree of Life—the Torah, from which we are encouraged to eat, feeding our spiritual selves, rectifying and elevating our physical.

In the tribal area of Asher the mountains and hills are covered with olive groves. Olive oil was a main product of this tribe, thus the blessing of Moshe and Yaakov’s thought of rich foods. The people of Asher grew rich from the sale of their olive oil, but also they supplied the oil for the Temple, which was its own type of “richness”.

The daughters of Asher were said to be very beautiful, even into old age. Many of them married Cohenim (priests) and were mothers of the Cohen Hagadol (High Priest).

The most famous of the daughters of Asher was Serach. Her song, telling Yaakov that Yosef still lived, restored the Ruach Hakodesh to him. This restoration can be seen as oil pouring into him, healing and reviving him from his deathlike depression. He blessed her that she should never taste death. Serach was a vital part of the saga to Redemption, holding the code to identify Moshe as Redeemer and also knowing the place of Yosef’s coffin.

The Torah readings of the month of Shevat reflect this same hope. The readings of Tevet are of judgment and resolution. The readings of Shevat take us beyond nature, into the miraculous of the new revelation of Hashem. They are full of divine miracles in leaving Egypt, crossing the Sea of Reeds, receiving the Torah. These are the prototype stories of Redemption, bringing long awaited healing to Mankind. Indeed, just as in Asher’s embrace of the Tree of Life, we can see in these parshaot the flow of life-giving balm to the world, where no hope is impossible.

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the L-rd, that He might be glorified. --Isaiah 61:3	Previous Months Tevet 5766 Kislev 5766 Cheshvan 5766 Tishrei 5766 Elul 5765

Shabbat shalom,
Miriam

Contact:
Miriam Ben-Yaacov