003 - Tu B'Shevat and Growing into Geulah

Welcome back to the Harchava podcast's third episode, where I'm delighted to delve deeper into the profound essence of Tu B'Shvat. This episode is a special one, and I apologize for the delay. There's been so much on my mind about how Tu B'Shvat perfectly intertwines with our personal growth and the global Geulah process—the journey to elevate global consciousness.

Understanding Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat, the New Year of the Trees, marks the perfect time to discuss the Geulah process—the redemption era in which we're currently living. It's about elevating human consciousness. Picture a seemingly lifeless tree in the depths of winter, its branches bare and the earth around it frozen. Outwardly it may appear devoid of life, yet beneath its surface, the sap begins to rise, heralding a renewal beneath the austere facade.

This essence of unseen renewal is Tu B'Shvat's core message. Trees don't wait for the visible flourish of spring to begin; the process starts silently, invisibly, long before we see it.

The Geulah Process is Now

We're not waiting for Geulah to arrive as a distant, miraculous future. The concept of Geulah taught by the rabbi is here now. It’s not about waiting for a messianic arrival out of nowhere; the energy of Mashiach already permeates the world. Our responsibility is to shift our consciousness, our focus, and see that Mashiach energy with our own eyes. Just as the tree already pulses with life in winter, so too has the renewal process of Geulah already begun within us and around us.

Learning from the Seven Species

Reflecting on the seven species of Eretz Yisrael during Tu B'Shvat offers profound insights:

Wheat: Wheat embodies knowledge and awareness. The Talmud teaches that humanity's consciousness was fully realized upon consuming wheat—a metaphor for the deep understanding at the heart of the Geulah shift.

Barley: Barley symbolizes the instinctual, animal parts of ourselves. By acknowledging and transforming these instincts, we bring light to our primal responses. It also represents physical nourishment, reminding us of the importance of grounding our spirituality in the physical realm.

Grapes: With grapes, joy takes center stage. Whether eaten fresh, dried into raisins, or pressed into wine, each grape stage teaches us about resilience and the ability to find joy amid transformation and pressure.

Figs: Figs remind us of abundance and the slow ripening of Geulah. Like these trees, which bear fruit gradually, Geulah unfolds bit by bit, reflecting the ongoing process of redemption.

Pomegranates: Just as a pomegranate holds numerous seeds, it reminds us of seeing the good in others. Even when disconnected, everyone is brimming with spiritual potential, highlighting the importance of focusing on abundance rather than lack.

Olives: Emphasizing strength through challenges, olives reveal that what seems bitter is the source of rich light once pressed and transformed. The oil signifies spiritual illumination derived from overcoming life's pressures.

Dates: Lastly, dates signify sweetness achieved through time. The land’s honey is date honey, and these fruits, which take decades to mature, mirror the prolonged yet fulfilling ripening process of Geulah. Embrace the sweetness slowly surfacing in the world.

A Call to Open Our Eyes

As we embody these teachings of Tu B'Shvat, we are called to open our eyes to see the unfolding redemption in our lives and the world. It invites us to partake in a movement that isn’t about anticipating the miraculous, but rather about recognizing and gathering the moments of Geulah that already pulse around us. We’re urged to notice the growth in seemingly barren moments and to taste the redemptive process that Tu B'Shvat heralds.

Let’s embrace these lessons and bring their light into our world, for Geulah is not a future hope—it is our present reality waiting to be realized.

Join me next time as we explore abundance and alignment further on the Harchava podcast.

DM me any aha moments or feedback on Instagram: @rucheliberry

Music by Doniel Berry: @donielberry