16 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.