The Significance of Trees During Tu Bishvat

It's almost time for Tu Bishvat, the holiday that many refer to as Jewish New Year for Trees or the Jewish Arbor Day! The Torah states "[m]an is like the tree of the field" (Deuteronomy 20:19). So, during Tu Bishvat, men, women and children celebrate the importance of their connection to the Earth and G-d.

The Significance of the Tree

Tu BiShvat literally means "Day 15 of the Hebrew month of Shvat" and represents that time in midwinter that the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep. During this time, the ages of trees are calculating for the giving of a special tithe. According to Biblical law, there is a seven year agricultural cycle, concluding with the Sabbatical year. While produce is handled in a specific way, fruit from trees may not be eaten during the first three years of a tree's life. The fruit from the fourth year is for G-d, and after that, the fruit is free for consumption. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu Bishvat.

After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.C.E., Tu BiShvat became a way for Jews to symbolically bind themselves to their former homeland and remember their heritage. In remembrance, Jews ate foods that could be found in Israel.

Man is Like a Tree

Although Tu Bishvat is considered the Rosh Hashanah for trees, the day is more than about plants and planting it is about cultivating faith and commitment. Trees offer nourishment and analogies of man's existence. Trees start from seeds and man began with the planting of G-d's seed, the soul, into a clay form. Healthy trees sprout and grow with up stretched branches. Faithful men, women and children prosper offering glory to G-d. A tree's strength lies in its roots. The strength of Jewish people lie in their roots of faith and family. The fruits of a tree nourish and the fruits of a person's life are their good deeds and works of faith. And, the beauty of a tree depends its strength and its fruits. The same is true of the beauty of life.

Observances and Customs

On the day of Tu Bishvat, observers customarily plant trees and eat fruits that are known to grow in the Holy Land. Along with olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates, people eat wheat and barely. Some people partaking of these foods also recite the Shehecheyanu blessing, a recitation of thanks to G-d, which is then followed by the Ha'etz blessing recited on fruit.

Israel is a diverse land with everything from snow-covered mountains to fertile fields to desert. Three thousand different types of plants and a great variety of fruit trees flourish in the Holy Land. From almond to wormwood, the Land of Israel has many different types of trees. And, during Tu BiShvat each of these is significant.

While Tu BiShvat is a minor holiday like Hanukkah, it is very important as a reminder of man's spiritual link to Earth and to G-d. It is more than about planting trees and eating fruit. It is a holiday that reminds us that our lives, from seed, root and fruit, are similar to the lives of trees.

For more information about the holiday and customs, check out the following websites:

http://www.torah.org/learning/ yomtov/tubshvat/#

http://judaism.about.com/od/tu bshvat/a/sspecies_tushv.htm

http://www.urj.org/holidays/tu bishvat/

http://www.chabad.org/library/ article_cdo/aid/3264/jewish/Tu -BShevat.htm