Natural Miracles Some of the miracles of Y’tzi’at Mitzrayim were momentary and others continued throughout the period of wandering in the wilderness. Witnessing Revelation at Sinai, protected by Heavenly Clouds and Pillars of Fire, fed by “bread from heaven”, wearing clothes and shoes that did not wear out, the Generation of the Midbar was the generation of miracles. More than any other day of the week, TU BiShvat falls on Shabbat (30% of the time), specifically Shabbat Shira, Parshat B’shalach. TU BiShvat represents for us the transition from open, supernatural miracles to the subtle, everyday miracles of nature - the main type of miracle that became the definition of our new life in Eretz Yisrael. Our Sages wanted use to be continually amazed by G-d’s every- day miracles. One of the manifestations of this goal, is the structure of the set of Brachot we have for food. If Chaza”l were only interested in our thanking G-d for food and acknowledging Him as the Source of All, then She- hakol would have sufficed. A bracha that G-d brought EVERYTHING into existence would do the trick. But they taught us more. You think that MAHN appearing six days a week protected by layers of dew is some- thing? What about this: dig up and soften the soil, put a little seed in it, water it and nurture it, care for it and protect it, and several months down the line you will be able to pluck a delicious and nurishing carrot from the ground to slice and dice, cook or enjoy raw. Every time you are about to put that kind of food in your mouth, acknowledge G-d’s “natural” miracle by saying a Borei Pri HaAdama. And how about this: plant a tree and you’ll be able to pick apples off it for years and years. Acknowledge that with a Borei Pri HaEitz. Five brachot in all were added to the catch-all She-hakol. And all of them express our appreciation and wonderment in G-d’s world that goes on giving. Perhaps this is the message of TU Bishvat, especially when it falls on Shabbat Shira. [The Parshat B'shalach Homepage]
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