4 Cups of Wine! On TU B'Shavat!

Here in Shiloh we had a series of "TU B'Shavat S'darim."

This year TU B'Shavat was on Shabbat, so Friday night, after the meal we went to a TU B'Shavat Seder. The ceremony is new/ancient, based on all sorts of Kabbalistic insights and customs. About 15 years ago, we went to one for the yishuv and all of the new immigrants from the USSR, who were living here at the time. It was led by our neighbor, Rabbi Dov Berkovits. That had been my only experience with the ceremony. There was lots of wine, and everyone, including kids drank.

After that, I tried to get something going other years in the house, but "no customers." It's not the sort of thing you can do alone. At least it's not the sort of thing I enjoy alone.

This year there was a neighborhood Seder in our synagogue, which is right near the house, so I went. Ha Rav Dov led it, like before. Well not exactly the same. There were mostly adults there and the middle-aged and plus variety, since I think those with kids couldn't get out. The room was full; all chairs taken. We didn't finish the food.

All sorts of Kabbalistic things were explained about life and wine. And the four cups were small. The first cup was white wine, the second was white with a little red wine. The third cup had half and half, and the fourth was mostly red, with just a little white. The wine mavens at the women's table complained that the combined wines were horrendous. So I suggested drinking them "separately." First pour half a cup white, drink it; then pour half a cup red and drink it. I don't know what the Kabbalists would say about that.

While sitting, I polished off most of the candied citrus peel on the table. Please, don't tell me what that's made out of!

Must blog quickly. We have a big 29th Birthday for Shiloh tonight!