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Customs of the Month of Shevat
 
Rabbi Haim Palachi (Turkey, 1788-1869), in his work Mo'ed Le'kol Hai (chapter 30), discusses a number of different laws and customs relevant to the month of Shevat. He begins by establishing that the theme of this month is that of "Hod" (literally, "majesty"), which corresponds with the primary attribute of Aharon Ha'kohen. As such, during this month one must make a particular effort to emulate Aharon's quality of "Ohev Shalom Ve'rodef Shalom" – loving and pursuing peace. Rabbi Haim Palachi emphasizes the importance of maintaining peaceful relations between friends and between husband and wife during this month. This concept is alluded to in the name of the month, as the letters that spell "Shevat" – "Shin," "Bet," "Tet" – represent the words "Shalom," "Beracha" and "Tova" (peace, blessing and goodness).

Rabbi Haim Palachi adds that during this month one must exercise particular care not to spread gossip and not to go to inappropriate places. Furthermore, in the month of Shevat one should increase his efforts to support and give honor to Torah scholars. And, as the nights are still quite long during Shevat, and the nighttime hours are to be devoted to Torah learning, one should make a point to spend time at night studying Torah during these weeks.

The fifteenth of this month, of course, marks Tu Be'Shvat, the "new year for trees." Rabbi Haim Palachi records the famous custom to set the table on the night of Tu Bu'Shvat with a variety of fruits. He adds that each member of the family should recite the Beracha over a specifically designated fruit. The father should recite the Beracha of "Mezonot" over a grain product, symbolic of his wish for success in earning a livelihood, which is represented by wheat, as in the verse, "He shall satiate you with the fat of wheat" (Tehillim 147:14). The wife should recite the Beracha of "Ha'etz" over grapes, as the verse in Tehillim (128:3) compares the wife of a God-fearing man to a "fruitful vine." Sons should eat olives, in accordance with the aforementioned verse in Tehillim, which likens the sons of a God-fearing man to young olive trees. The daughters should partake of pomegranates and walnuts, which are covered by an outer shell or covering, symbolic of the quality of Seni'ut (modesty) that is required of Jewish girls. Finally, the young children should eat apples, in honor of the courageous women of Bene Yisrael during the Egyptian bondage who secretly delivered their babies in the apple orchards. Rabbi Haim Palachi adds that the young children should also eat dates on this night.

In this context Rabbi Haim Palachi reminds us to pay careful attention to ensure that no insects are present in the fruits eaten on Tu Be'shvat, as the consumption of insects constitutes a grave Torah prohibition. One who is not careful in this regard will in effect commit a sin by partaking of these fruits, even as he seeks to perform a Misva. Rabbi Haim Palachi also urges us to recite the Berachot slowly and with concentration, rather than hurriedly, and not to perform any activity during the recitation of the Beracha. More generally, he recommends purchasing and frequently reviewing the work "Or Hadash" on the laws of Berachot. As the laws of Berachot are particularly complex and relevant to day-to-day life, it is critical that one familiarize himself with these Halachot. One must therefore make a point of acquiring books that outline these Halachot in a clear, coherent manner and to consult such books on a regular basis.

Finally, Rabbi Haim Palachi notes that some communities observe the 17th day of Shevat as a quasi-festival known as "Purim Saragossa," to commemorate a miracle that occurred to the Jews of the Spanish city of Saragossa. Some communities had the custom to read Megilat Ester on this day. Even though this is not our practice, it is worthwhile to be aware of this custom that was observed by many Jews in previous generations.