A fascinating story about how one can become enriched from following the minhag to eat fruit on Tu BiSh’vat was told by an Israeli Jew after a trip he took to France. The man would often fly on business to various cities, and on one occasion, he found himself in Paris in mid-February. He went to daven in a nearby synagogue, and it was there that he learned that that very day was Tu BiSh’vat. He had a flight back to Israel to catch later in the day, so he quickly hurried out to the local fruit market and purchased some fruit to take along on his flight. The fruit seller was a religious Jew and when he noticed the man picking up some of the most exotic and expensive items, he felt compelled to ask: “Tell me, sir, why are you buying so much fruit – and such an exotic selection – just to take back to Israel? Aren’t there many exotic fruits in the Holy Land?”
The man replied, “Why, today is Tu BiSh’vat and this is a custom that my family adheres to year after year.”
The owner of the fruit market smiled and said, “That is a fine custom, indeed. My family follows it, as well. Allow me to tell you a story that took place many years ago with my own ancestor.” He brought the man into a back room and rummaged around until he found a certain gadget, which he held up in his hand. “Do you see this? This fruit press is how my grandfather became rich!” The traveling Jew knew that a great story was forthcoming and so he waited with anticipation.
“Many years ago, my grandfather was once traveling on business much like you, and he found himself in Moscow on the day of Tu BiSh’vat. He, too, wished to buy some fruit for the holiday, so he went out and found a local fruit seller. In Moscow, it was quite cold and most of the fruit hadn’t even ripened yet, but this did not deter my grandfather and he bought a sizable amount of fruit. The merchant was surprised that someone would spend so much money on unripened fruit and couldn’t help but inquire about it. My grandfather told him almost the exact words that you just told me. But that merchant wasn’t Jewish and could not understand how a person can spend his money on an old custom that had no bearing on his life – especially since the fruit he was buying was barely edible! The Russian merchant picked up a tool – it was this fruit presser to be exact – and showed it to my grandfather. ‘Do you want to know what I do with my money?’ he asked, and lowered his voice surreptitiously. In the next motion, he began to unscrew the bottom of the handle and pulled off the adjoining piece. Then, he poured a handful of gold coins into his hand. ‘I hide all my money in this machine. It contains my life savings. But I know it’s safe here and it won’t be wasted on silly things – or unripened fruit!’”
The Parisian fruit seller gazed at the fruit press in his hand fondly and continued to relate his story. “My grandfather always remembered that merchant and the lesson he learned on that day. A Jew uses his money for mitzvos – but what does an old Muscovite use his money for? I will tell you.” He smiled again as he recalled his grandfather.
“A number of years went by and my grandfather was in Moscow again on business, at the same time of year. He decided to go back to the same shop and buy some more fruit. But this time, as he approached, he saw a crowd of people hanging around and a buzz of activity. He asked someone what was happening and was told that the old Russian merchant had passed on and his two sons were in the process of liquidating the shop. Now is the time for bargains, he was told. So, my grandfather pushed to the front where he saw two younger men selling everything in their father’s store. ‘I am looking for a small fruit press.’ he asked the younger men. ‘Do you perhaps have one that I can buy?’ ‘A fruit press?’ The son looked around and saw an old rusty press on the table. ‘Here, do you want this? It’s old and worthless and I have no use for it. Take it for free!’ My grandfather smiled inwardly and happily accepted the press. When he got back to his lodgings, he opened it up and found more than just a handful of gold coins! He found a veritable treasure! He took it home and became a very wealthy man.”
Pointing to the ancient fruit press, the Parisian market owner concluded, “It has been an accepted custom in our family to indulge in exotic fruit on Tu BiSh’vat, for it was this very minhag that made our family rich in the first place!”
(Torah Tavlin on Moadim Ketanim)
Rabbi Dovid Hoffman is the author of the popular “Torah Tavlin” book series, filled with stories, wit and hundreds of divrei Torah, including the brand new “Torah Tavlin Yamim Noraim” in stores everywhere. You’ll love this popular series. Also look for his book, “Heroes of Spirit,” containing one hundred fascinating stories on the Holocaust. They are fantastic gifts, available in all Judaica bookstores and online at http://israelbookshoppublications.com. To receive Rabbi Hoffman’s weekly “Torah Tavlin” sheet on the parsha, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
