Happy Tu BiShvat, dear brothers and sisters!
This evening, Israel begins celebrating Tu BiShvat (Hebrew: ט״ו בשבט), a Jewish holiday observed on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, known as the “New Year of the Trees” (Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot). The name “Tu” is derived from the Hebrew letters Tet (9) and Vav (6), which together add up to 15.
Tu BiShvat marks the beginning of a three-month series of holidays that fall in the middle of the month, coinciding with the full moon, culminating in Passover. The Mishnah refers to Tu BiShvat as one of the four new years in the Jewish calendar. In Israel, the majority of the annual rainfall essential for tree growth falls before the 15th of Shvat, making this date a natural point of reference for tithing fruit. Any fruit that ripens before Tu BiShvat is considered part of the previous year’s harvest, while those that ripen after belong to the new agricultural cycle.
Over time, Tu BiShvat evolved and embraced new customs. In the Middle Ages, Jewish communities began marking the day by eating fruit, particularly the species for which the Land of Israel is praised: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
In modern times, Tu BiShvat has gained popularity among Jews worldwide. In contemporary Israel, it has taken on an environmental dimension and is widely celebrated as a day of ecological awareness, often observed by planting trees. As they commemorate the New Year of the Trees, Jews recall the Torah’s commandment regarding fruit-bearing trees: “You must not destroy them, for they provide food for mankind” (Deuteronomy 20:19).
A tree and a person share much in common. Just as a tree draws strength from its roots, so too does a person derive strength from their heritage and traditions. Though hidden from view, roots are the source of both a tree’s vitality and a person’s inner strength. A tree’s canopy symbolizes the course of a person’s life, while its fruits represent children and the legacy one leaves behind.
Wishing you all a joyous Tu BiShvat, dear brothers and sisters!