TU BE-SHVAT a New Year for the Trees

Today is the day that families go to the Israeli Wild Mountains to plant trees. It is the Feast of Planting Trees, and at present it is the Israeli New Year for the Trees, which I recalled celebrated from my childhood.  However, it did not start that way.

Torah is commanding us to give an yearly tithe from all vegetation harvest. The Sages thought that it would be better if all trees have the same birthday for the tithing and chose a day that will represent planting of all trees: A New Year for the Trees, on the 15th of Shevat. 

Over time, the love of Trees of Israel expressed itself in exile by eating exported fruit. Since the Israeli fruit took too long to arrive abroad, the day was celebrated by eating dry fruit instead of fresh. Today, even though we have plenty of fresh fruit in Israel, we still celebrate it by eating dry fruit. The dry fruits were blessed, biblical portions were read, and a new tradition was born. This blessed law (Mitzva) right at the start of the bible is thought to bring closer the coming of the messiah,

            And the LORD God commanded Adam, saying, of                  every tree of the garden thou may freely eat.

The Zionists took this great holiday and adapted it as a connection between the Nation of Israel and its Land. What better way to love the land then to plant a tree with your own hands.

Sixteenth Day, 2014 - Thank You God for creating trees of every kind; for the Land that you gave to us,  and for the holiday that encourages us to plant trees and to re-connect with our Land

Happy New Year of the Trees,

'Chag Tu-Be-Shvat Sameach

Planting an Avocado Bulb on the balcony,

Orith