27 Jan 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 G-d-
fearing man to a “fruitful vine.” Sons

should eat olives, in accordance with
the aforementioned verse in Tehillim,
which likens the sons of a G-d-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.