By Rabbi Moshe Perets
So here you are the secret between the 7 fruits of Israel and the 7 Noahide Commandments you may discuss as you will be eating during your Tou Bishvat Seder:
The biblical source is in Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 8:
אֶ֤רֶץ חִטָּה֙ וּשְׂעֹרָ֔ה וְגֶ֥פֶן וּתְאֵנָ֖ה וְרִמּ֑וֹן אֶֽרֶץ־זֵ֥ית שֶׁ֖מֶן וּדְבָֽשׁ:
"a land of wheat and barley, vines and figs and pomegranates, a land of oil producing olives and honey,"
Wheat: Corresponds to the 4th Noahide Commandment, To Honor Family Unity. The Divine Power is Loving-Kindness. Spiritual Work: The divine soul needs to increase in generosity and innovation.
Barley: Corresponds to the 3rd Noahide Commandment, To Honor Life. The Divine Power is Strength. Spiritual Work: the animal soul needs to submit itself to the divine will.
Grapes: Corresponds to the 5th Noahide Commandment, To Honor Others Property. The Divine Power is Beauty. Spiritual Work: to increase the joy and balance in the service of HaShem.
Fig: Corresponds to the First Noahide Commandment, To have Faith in HaShem. The Divine Power is Victory. Spiritual Work: to refine the garments of our soul, thought, speech and deeds.
Pomegranate: Corresponds to the Second Noahide Commandment, To Honor HaShem. The Divine Power is Splendor. Spiritual Work: to fulfil the commandments of Torah for Noahides.
Olive: Corresponds to the 6th Noahide Commandment, To Respect Animals and Nature. The Divine Power is: Foundation. Spiritual Work: To sweeten our relationships.
Dates: Corresponds to the 7th Noahide Commandment, To Establish Courts and Pursue Justice. The Divine Power is: Kingship. Spiritual Work: To accept that the messianic revelation comes after a life of long and persistent spiritual work.
Happy Tou Bishvat!
What Fruit do you like the most?
The fig.
Grapes
Pomegranate
Olives.
Rabbi Moshe Perets
Rabbi Moshe Perets is the President of the Noahide Academy of Israel, Founder and Executive Director of NoahideAcademy.org, the world’s largest Noahide informational website. He accomplished his Rabbinical Studies at the Chabad Yeshiva and his medical studies at the University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium.
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