Our new study in Beersheva is going well.  We studied this past week from Ruth chapter 2.  We had a great time of study.  This week is also Tu B’Shvat, which is the new year for trees. This holiday is the 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar.  This year it falls on January 25.

We mark this holiday by eating fruit, and you will see that grocery stores have put at the front of their stores different gift platters of different types of dried fruit.  At the study, our hosts provided a nice platter with different types of dried fruit.  They also provided a special Russian/Ukrainian specialty of a pastry filled with cooked cabbage and peppers with spices.  They were delicious.  Food is integral to the Jewish culture.  It gives us another opportunity to bless the L-rd, for whenever one eats, there are prayers which accompany the food.

Blessings for a wonderful week!