The purpose of this email is to move the dinner or lunch table from Et-tu to Tub'av. Please share, and share, and share again.
Who said, "Et tu, Brute?"
The answer is, of course, Juilus Caesar.
Or, should I say, the Julius Caesar of William Shakespeare's imagination.
Or should I say, Julius Caesar as imagined by the author of the eponymous play attributed to William Shakespeare.
OK, we remember from high school English that Julius Caesar says it. Second question - When does he say it?
These are of course his dying words as he is being stabbed by the conspirators.
Third question: What do the words mean?
Answer: "You too, Brutus?"
Fourth question: What's that supposed to mean?
Answer: If, you, my close frrend Brutus, are among the conspirators, then I truly have no friends in the world and I might as well die.
But in Hebrew, the word Tu has an entirely different meaning.
It means 15 (as in the number).
You may have heard of Tu Bishvat - the 15th of Shevat (month) - our Arbor Day.
But have you heard of Tu B'Av - the 15th of Av?
That's today - all day until sundown.
What's it all about? The diametric opposite of Caesar's death — it's all about brotherly love.
It's when the maidens and young men used to go out to the fields and try to make matches for marriage.
But what made it a time of love wasn't the match-making.
The more affluent girls would share outfits with the less affluent girls, so that everyone would be looking her best and equally attractive.
That's awesome to think about.
Do we have people like that today, who go against their own self-interest to help someone else succeed?
If they're out there, I would love to meet them.
Shabbat Shalom
PS - For some easy ideas on how to spread the love, click on the pic above.
PPS - Invited to a bar mitzvah but don't know what to bring? Check out our new barmitzvahalbum.com.
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