Jewish Post, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 January 2003 — Page 12

NAT 8 January 1. 2003

Tu B’Shvat and vegetarianism

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By RICHARD H. SCHWARTZ

Tu B'Shvat is arguably the most vegetarian of Jewish holidays, because of its many connections to vegetarian themes and concepts: 1. The Tu B'Shvat seder, in which fruits and nuts are eaten, along with the singing of songs and the recitation of biblical verses related to trees and fruits, is the only sacred meal where only vegetarian (actually vegan) foods are eaten as part of the ritual. This is consistent with the diet in the Garden of Eden, as indicated by God's first, completely vegetarian, dietary law: