In honor of Tu B’Shevat and, in America, Martin Luther King Junior Day, we’ll make this a pre-Tuesday TorahTutors tidbit: real Torah, from real TorahTutors sessions.
A TorahTutors student learned about the mitzvot of ma’aser: separating portions of produce for Leviim, poor people, and/or simply to eat oneself in Jerusalem. Different types of ma’aser are separated in different years of the shemitah cycle – and the determination of which year a fruit belongs to is based on Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for the trees (Mishna Rosh Hashana 1:1, following Beit Hillel). While the rules of ma’aser can be complicated, for this young student, the tutor kept things simple – but, like a tree, students and their learning potential are always growing. We look forward to seeing that student and others build on the basics over the course of many years of Torah study.
Depending what time zone you find yourself in, it may no longer be Tu B’Shevat or MLK Day – it may even be Tuesday already, making this Tuesday TorahTutors Tidbit right on time! – but the messages linger. We are privileged to provide a welcoming online space for a wide variety of students, helping each meet their potential at their level. On that note, we were inspired to share the MLK quote in the attached image, with thanks to the artist for allowing its use. Bush or tree, we are so proud of all our students for working to “be the best of whatever you are.”
