Guide to Jewish
Holidays Tu B’Shevat
Tu B’Shevat is the “New Year of the Trees.” Originally
an agricul tural festival, it marks the emergence of
spring. In modern Israel, it has become a national hol-
iday — a tree-planting festival. Tu B’Shevat usually oc-
curs in the month of February, and is also known as the
Jewish Arbor Day. People will eat fruits and nuts, par-
ticularly something from Israel or something new for
the season. Some even hold a seder for family and
friends incorporating seasonal fruits and vegetables.

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Purim Purim recalls Ha man’s plot to exterminate the Jews of
Persia and celebrates the story of Queen Esther, who
intervened, along with her cousin Mor dechai, to save
her people. On Purim, the Me gillah, or “Scroll of Es-
ther,” is read. Every time the name Haman is men-
tioned, people stamp their feet and twirl noisemakers
(groggers) to blot out his name. Children dress up in
costumes, and hamantashen — special three-cornered
cookies that are supposed to resemble Haman’s hat or
ear — are eaten. It is also customary to send gifts of
food (shalach manot) to friends, as well as give food
and money to the poor. Even the poorest Jewish person
is expected to share with others. Judaism teaches that
tzedakah, or “charity,” at all times and in all places, is a
religious duty.

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waverlyheightsltd.org Pesach
Pesach, or Passover, is celebrated in the spring and
commemorates the exodus from Egypt more than
3,000 years ago. It is a special time when relatives and
friends join together to celebrate the freeing of the
Jewish people, who were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt.

The primary celebration of this holiday is the seder,
which is usually held at home. Leavened food
(chametz) is prohibited, and matzah (unleavened
bread) is eaten. The youngest child is expected to ask
the “Four Questions,” which begin with: “Why is this
night different from all other nights?” The story of the
exodus from Egypt is retold through the reading of the
Haggadah. This widely celebrated Jewish holiday lasts
for eight days.

Lag B’Omer
Lag B’Omer is the 33rd day of the omer. The omer was
an ancient Hebrew measure of rain that add ed up to
3.6 liters. In Levi ti cus, the people of Israel are com-
manded: “and from the day on which you bring the of-
fering … you shall count off seven weeks.” The seven
weeks of counting the Omer spans the 49-day period
between the second day of Pesach and the beginning
of Sha vuot. The 33rd day is viewed as a celebration
because the literature tells us that a plague that had af-
flicted the students of Rabbi Akiva, the teacher and
scholar, ended on that day. Schools will often celebrate
by having outdoor events, picnics and field days.

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