Planting A Seed
Of Gratitude

Mitzvot for the springtime.

respect for your mother or father?

ELIZABETH APPLEBAUM

AppleTree Editor

#3) Exodus 23:12: Jews are to rest on
Shabbat.
On a spring Saturday afternoon, find a
Jewish book and spend a few hours reading
and learning.

IV Nether it's a sweltering 90
degrees with 100 percent
humidity, or 35 cold degrees
and you've got to get out that
winter coat — again — spring is here!
Spring is, of course, the perfect time for
planting, picnics, and counting the nays until
summer. It also can be the perfect time for
mitzvot, or commandments.
In honor of the start of spring (even if it
doesn't exactly feel like it outside), here are 30
mitzvot you can do especially for the season.

#4) Deuteronomy 20:19: It is forbidden —
even in times of war — to destroy fruit trees.
If you have a fruit tree in your back yard,
make a commitment to seeing to its care. Or,
try visiting your favorite market and selecting
some new fruits to eat this season, keeping in
mind the tree that bore the fruit.

In Temple
times, prayers
and blessings were
said over an omer,
or sheaf; of barley
that was brought
to the Temple
each day The
counting of the
omer marks the
time between the
second day of Pesach
and the first day of
Shavuot.

#5) Leviticus 25:24: Jews are forbidden from
deceiving anyone in business matters.
Do a little spring cleaning and sort through
#7) Leviticus 19:17: It is forbidden to shame
your files and records to make certain that you - another Jew.
-
owe no debts, and be certain that you have no
Have you embarrassed a friend, -or acted in a
unsettled business transactions.
thoughtless way? Invite a friend for a spring-
time ice cream snack and make amends.
#6) Leviticus 19:16: A Jew must not hesitate to
save another human being from danger.
#8) Deuteronomy 10:19: Jews are obligated to
Here
are
some
ideas:
Jews
must
honor
our
par-
welcome Jews-by-choice.
#2) Exodus 20:12:
• Spring is a great time to go through your
Try to imagine what it would be like for an
ents.
house and make certain you have no danger-
On a nice spring evening, take a walk with
adult, raised in another religion, who decides
ous chemicals in easy access to children, or
to embrace Judaism. Would you welcome such
your mother or father and tell him/her the
other health hazards.
positive ways in which `/she has shaped your
a person into your home, your synagogue,
• Ask friends about their favorite charities,
your family? Perhaps you know someone who
. ,
life.
especially those that aid individuals in dire cir-
recently converted to Judaism whom you
What characteristics do you especially
could, without being condescending, befriehd
admire in your parent? Can you think of a spe- cumstances. In honor of your friends, make
donations.
or help guide. (A spring picnic is a great way
cific incident when you felt tremendous
• Do you know someone who is in
to get to know someone.)
trouble? Now is a good time to reach
You can learn a lot by learning a little. In Fact-A-Day,
out to that person, or to connect him
#9) Deuteronomy 67: A Jew must recite the
AppleTree provides you with fascinating tidbits about any
or her with an appropriate service
Shemin each morning.
Jewish subject, past or present. This month, in honor of
organization.
Since you don't have to pile on the boots
spring, you'll find 30 -- one for each day of April - --
and coats anymore, you have a few extra min-
mitzvot for the season.

#1) While normally brachot, blessings, are said
often throughout the day, there is a special
brachah said just once a year — when one sees
fruit trees in bloom during the spring:
Blessed are You, our God, King of the universe,
for nothing is lacking in Your universe, and You
created within it good creatures and good trees to
bring pleasure to mankind.

-

4/26
2002

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