| Dear Congregants,
We usher in Tu BiShvat tonight, a special day for trees.
It is the time that the sap rises in the trees, the beginning of growth of a new year of life!
A mystical comparison is drawn between Man and a tree, and thus it is a propitious time for us as well, a time to reflect over human growth and productivity of all kinds.
Although there is no special Synagogue Service this day, the "Tachanun" prayer is omitted from the daily Services in celebration of the Holiness of the day.
There is a custom to honour this day by eating and reciting the Blessing over fruits produced by trees*. Special attention is given to the Species that the Land of Israel is blessed with (grapes, figs, pomegranate, olives, and dates {For infestation concerns, examine the insides of fresh figs. Dried figs should be avoided. Pitted dates are recommended.}). We also try to partake of a "new" fruit that one has not yet enjoyed this season, so as to make the additional Blessing over enjoying a new item ("Shehecheyanu"**).
Some have a custom as well, to pray for a beautiful Etrog (citron) fruit to fulfill the Mitzvah next Sukkot.
A View from the DNA Bridges
Our thoughts turn now to the origins of the tree.
The tall and mighty tree that waves its boughs gently in the wind, and gives off its luscious and bountiful fruit, originates from nothing more than a tiny seed.
How is it possible that such magnificent structure develops from seemingly humble beginnings?
The answer is well known. The tiny seed is endowed with the requisite DNA cells that have the codes for growth contained within. Everything goes according to the plan! This deceivingly slight bit of next-to-nothingness conducts the complex and marvelous engineering of sap and bark, trunk and branch, and flower and fruit, from photosynthesis for nutrients down to the formation of incision cells at the base of the stems, uniquely designed to release the fruit upon ripening!
But Who is the Maestro that crafted all this genius?
Allow me to share a WhatsApp message I received last week (edited for clarity):
"Dr. Yishayahu Rubinstein, a molecular biologist in Machon Veitzman, carried out extensive research on human DNA cells.
He tells of an amazing observation.
While studying DNA under a microscope, they appear as two springs spiralling around and attached to one another. As long as this connection is sustained, the cell survives.
Dr. Rubinstein found that along the entire chain of DNA there are "bridges" that keep the spirals from detaching, thereby keeping the cells alive - keeping US alive.
Looking closer, he saw a pattern in these bridges:
10 acids, and then a 'bridge';
5 acids, followed by a 'bridge';
6 acids, and another 'bridge';
5 acids, and still one more 'bridge'.
The pattern then repeats itself.
Dr. Rubinstein tried to determine the significance of this phenomenon. A light flashed through his microscope, as he arrived at an awesome insight:
The Hebrew Alphabet attaches numerical values to each of its letters, as follows:
א =1
ב=2
ג=3
ד=4
ה=5
ו=6
ז=7
ח=8
ט=9
י=10
ל=30
מ=40
נ=50
ס=60
ע=70
פ=80
צ=90
ק=100
ר=200
ש=300
ת=400
Dr. Rubinstein matched the corresponding Hebrew letters to the 10-5-6-5 pattern:
10 - י
5 - ה
6 - ו
5 - ה
These letters spell the Name of God, in sequence!
Just as an artist signs his name on his masterpiece, the greatest Artist of all leaves His signature on each DNA cell in His Masterpiece!"
Indeed, all of Creation rests upon His signature, if we but take a moment to contemplate.
Modern scientific advance has granted us the understanding that each atom in the universe is packed with impressive amounts of energy. Surrounded as we are by vast numbers of atoms (100 trillion atoms in an average human cell, multiplied by 100 trillion cells in the average human body!***), we become aware of the power gifted to us by a Master Packer. He has conceived a world that appears to effortlessly host its tenants in great comfort; we can live our lifestyles blissfully oblivious to the great coordination and compression of forces that He has orchestrated to make our very existence possible!
Tu BiShvat is an opportunity to ponder the spectacular Handiwork infused in our environs, and to undertake to embed these perceptions into our Blessings (of all kinds)!
A joyous and meaningful Tu BiShvat to you!
Thank you,
Yosef Sanders
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