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Tu B'Shevat or the "New Year of the Trees" is Jewish Arbor Day. The holiday is observed on the 15th (tu) of the Hebrew month of Shevat. Scholars believe that originally Tu B'Shevat was an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. In the 17th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu B'Shevat that is similar to a Passover Seder. Today, many Jews hold a modern version of the Tu B'Shevat Seder each year. The holiday also has become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends.
Shanah tovah (happy New Year)! We should also be saying “shanah tovah” to the trees. In just a few weeks we will be celebrating Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees, meaning every tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B’Shevat. While the holiday is not biblical in nature, it is mentioned by the rabbis in the Talmud, and plays an important role in the Jewish calendar. Many different customs have evolved over the centuries to honor this new year of the trees. Some examples include: planting a tree, eating a new fruit on this day, or eating from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) described in the Torah as being abundant in the land of Israel. The Shivat Haminim are: wheat, barley, grapes (vines), figs, pomegranates, olives and dates (honey). |
Check out this Ross M. Levy video, featuring our Religious School Students focusing on Tu B’Shevat!
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CUSTOMS & RITUALS
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PLANT A TREE
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TU B'SHEVAT SEDER
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