Happy Tu b'Shevat!

A Growing Tradition

Tu b’Shevat, or the 15th of Shevat, is the New Year for Trees. In the secular calendar is falls from late-January to early-February. Fifteen Shevat signals the end of winter in Eretz Yisrael and the beginning of spring. Therefore, it is the time chosen as the birthday for every tree in Israel, no matter when it was planted.

Knowing the age of a tree has Biblical importance. In Leviticus 19:23-25 it is stated in God’s Laws, “When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I am the Lord your God.”

Today most orchard owners in Israel still abide by the Biblical law and do not harvest the fruit from their trees for five years after they are planted. But for the majority of Israelis Tu b’Shevat is a time to celebrate nature and God’s magnificent creation.

Some send a fruit bowl to friends, others have Tu b’Shevat seder featuring the Seven Species of Israel. Many plant a tree. Actually, the Jewish National Fund claims over 1 million Israelis participate in their tree planting events each year.

The real soul of Tu b’Shevat is found in the power of God and his existence. When we plant trees during Tu b’Shevat they are always seedlings. However, those seedlings started out as a single seed. When that seed is lifted by the power of the Almighty and clears the earth, the heavens welcome him and rejoice at life anew. We then take that tender little tree and plant it in the soil of the Holy Land. Its roots embed themselves firmly in the ground and its branches reach outward towards the heavens, mirroring our own faith.

Tu b’Shevat is spiritually uplifting. It gives us hope that dark, cold days are coming to an end and new sun-filled days are ahead. It reminds us that life is a miracle and not to take for granted. Most of all it raises our awareness of the power and the glory of God.

JNF Volunteer in a Cypress Forest