Breslev Tsfat

almonds blossoms in tsfat & korach

In Israel, the flowering of the almond trees normally coincides with Tu B'Shevat and is found growing wild around much of the country.

What do we know about the almond tree? After the whole episode with Korach, who led a popular rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron, God commanded the head of each of the twelve tribes to take their staff and put it in the ground to demonstrate who He chose to lead the Jewish people. It was only the staff of Aaron the Priest that miraculously sprouted the almond blossom. Rashi explains that the almond was chosen since it sprouts quickly and easily, signifying the rapid end to any opposition to God's chosen leaders.

Here in Tsfat, we witness all around us the flowering of the almond trees firsthand. For all those who are currently experiencing a different season, come and visit us in Tsfat to see for yourselves the beauty of the almond blossom. (Given over this week by Rav Ephraim Kenig, shlita)

pray for a beautiful etrog this tu b'shevat...

...and while you're at it, pray for a pure heart .

This Shabbat is Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for Trees. On the very day that the land is renewed in Israel and new fruit begins to sprout, it is customary to pray that we will have a beautiful etrog on Sukkot.

The four species on Sukkot correspond to four different parts of the body. The lulav represents the spinal cord, the hadas corresponds to the eyes, the arava to the lips and the etrog to the heart. [Bnei Yissachar]

For this reason, this Shabbat on Tu B'Shevat, is a great opportunity to pray for a pure and straight heart, clean of any crookedness. [Rav Ephraim Kenig]