Etrogcello for the New Year of the Trees
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat saved the etrogs from last Sukkot and has been soaking them in vodka, making etrogcello to celebrate the trees.
But really the reason I make the etrogcello is so that we can drink it at Tu BiShvat. The New Year of the Trees; the birthday, according to Talmud, of every tree, no matter when it was planted. The date when (our tradition says) the sap begins to rise to feed the trees for the year to come; the time when cosmic sap begins to rise, renewing our spiritual energy for the welter of spring festivals ahead. How better to celebrate Tu BiShvat than with this pri etz hadar, this fruit of a goodly tree, which we so cherished back at Sukkot? It stitches the harvest season to this moment in deepest New England winter. It reminds me that everything which has been dormant can once again bear fruit.
Posted on February 8, 2012, in Fruit trees, Religion and tagged etrog, Massachusetts, Tu BiShvat, United States. Bookmark the permalink. 1 Comment.
Nice Idea! Very symbolic. I wonder if Rachel slept out in the sukkah or just sat in it to eat a few meals? There is nothing like sleeping out under the stars at Sukkot time! Although I have never though to make a tonic out of my sukkah.