The Shvat Tuba: Thoughts

At The Grammy Awards telecast in the USA on SUnday night, the word is that Katy (Hudson) Perry, of “I Kissed a Girl, and I liked It…” fame, will honor Tu b’Shvat, the Jewish New Year of Trees, by descending to the stage in a banana (edible interior, inedible exterior), and wearing a dress festooned with tree fruits. The stage will also have strawberries (edible interior and exterior) and peaches and pears (edible exterior, inedible interior). Seems like the three types of fruits and the Joans Bros are covered. Or is it a dream?

Speaking of dreams… It is told that Rabbi Chiya bar Abba said, one who sees wheat in one’s dream – has seen peace, as it says “He endows your realm with well-being, and satisfies you with choice wheat” (Psalms 147:14).

And one who sees barley in one’s dream – their sins depart from them, as it says, “your guilt shall depart and your sin be purged” (Isaiah 6:7).

One who sees a grapevine in one’s dream – shall be creatively fruitful, as it says, “You wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house” (Psalms 128:3)…

One who sees a fig in one’s dream – they will retain their Torah knowledge, as it says, “The one who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 27:18)…

And one who sees pomegranates in one’s dream – if they see a few, their business shall be fruitful like pomegranates; and if they see many, their business shall be plentiful like pomegranates;…

One who sees olives in one’s dreams – shall have a fruitful and plentiful business, but if one sees an olive tree and not just the fruit, they will have many children or creations. Some say that if one sees olives in one’s dreams, they will have a good reputation, as it says, “The Lord names you ‘Verdant olive tree,’” (Jeremiah 11:16)…

If one sees dates (TaMaR) in one’s dreams – their sins have expired (TaM), as it says, “Your iniquity, Fair Zion, is expiated” (Lamentations 4:22)…

If one sees myrtle in one’s dream – their business dealings will be successful. And if one sees an etrog in one’s dream – then they are lovely to their Creator, as it says “the fruit of a beautiful tree …” (Leviticus 23:40). And if one sees one date palm, a lulav, in one’s dream, they have one single heart for God.

Hmmm… well… I have seen none of these in my recent dreams. I did not see olives or an olive tree or even an olive branch. I did see a container of olive oil on a Supersol shelf in one recent dream however. Neither did I see any figs, palms, or dates. But I did see a former date. Perhaps those count? Nevertheless, happy new year for the trees. Smell a frangrance, eat a fruit, hug a tree, and may the rising sap energize your year