The Jewish New Year for Trees
Introducing A New Section: Guides to Jewish Holidays
Jewish time moves in cycles, offering moments of reflection, renewal, and celebration that connect us to our history, our communities, and the world around us. Each holiday carries its own unique wisdom—reminding us of who we are, where we come from, and the values we strive to uphold. Whether you’re deeply engaged in Jewish practice or just beginning to explore, these sacred moments offer opportunities to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action.
This new section of my newsletter is dedicated to making Jewish holidays accessible, meaningful, and rooted in tradition. Through these guides, I’ll share insights into the significance of each holiday, its history, and practical ways to bring it into your life—whether through rituals, food, reflection, or action.
Beginner's Guide to Tu BiShvat:
What is Tu BiShvat? Tu BiShvat, celebrated on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, is a minor Jewish holiday often called the "New Year for Trees." Historically, it was significant for agricultural and tithing purposes in ancient Israel. Today, it has evolved into a celebration of nature, environmental awareness, and gratitude for the earth’s bounty.
Tu BiShvat invites us to pause, reflect, and celebrate the natural world. Imagine walking through an orchard or hiking along a forest trail, feeling the earth beneath your feet, breathing in the fresh scent of blooming flowers and ripening fruit. In Judaism, nature is not just a backdrop to our lives—it is a sacred part of our existence, woven into our traditions and spiritual practice.
Rooted in ancient agricultural laws and embraced in modern times as a festival of environmental awareness, Tu BiShvat reminds us that trees, like people, grow, change, and nourish the world. It is a time to reconnect with the earth, recognize our responsibility as stewards of creation, and embrace the cycles of renewal and growth. Whether you mark the day by planting trees, enjoying the fruits of the Land of Israel, or reflecting on your own spiritual and ecological commitments, Tu BiShvat offers a moment of gratitude for the world around us.
Why Celebrate Tu BiShvat?
Connection to Nature: It encourages us to recognize the beauty and importance of the natural world and our responsibility to protect it.
Jewish Values: The holiday embodies Jewish teachings such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), Bal Tashchit (prohibition against waste), and gratitude for creation.
Spiritual Reflection: It’s a time to consider our roots, growth, and spiritual potential, mirroring the cycles of nature.
How Do We Celebrate?
Planting Trees
Planting trees is one of the most popular ways to celebrate. Many people support reforestation efforts or plant trees locally as a mitzvah.
In Israel, Tu BiShvat is a major tree-planting festival, strengthening the land and the community.
Eating Fruits
Focus on eating fruits connected to the Land of Israel, particularly the Seven Species mentioned in the Torah:
Wheat,
barley,
grapes,
figs,
pomegranates,
olives,
dates.
Many people also enjoy dried fruits and nuts like almonds, apricots, and carob
Holding a Tu BiShvat Seder 🍷
Inspired by the 16th-century kabbalists of Safed, the Tu BiShvat seder includes:
Four cups of wine or grape juice: Transitioning from white to red symbolizes the changing seasons.
Three types of fruits:
Fruits with shells (e.g., walnuts, pomegranates) represent physical protection and the hidden divine spark within.
Fruits with pits (e.g., olives, dates) symbolize inner potential.
Fully edible fruits (e.g., figs, grapes) represent spiritual wholeness.
Participants read from a haggadah (a guidebook) created specifically for the seder, blending nature themes with Jewish texts and prayers.
Environmental Action 🌍
Use the holiday as a time to learn about environmental sustainability and make eco-friendly commitments.
Actions might include reducing single-use plastics, starting a compost bin, or supporting renewable energy projects.
Jewish tradition is deeply connected to the natural world, and Tu BiShvat is an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the environment through sacred texts. Here are a few key passages that highlight the significance of trees and our role as stewards of the earth:
“Do not destroy trees” (Deuteronomy 20:19) – This verse establishes the principle of Bal Tashchit, the prohibition against waste and unnecessary destruction.
“For a tree is like a human” (Deuteronomy 20:19) – This verse has been interpreted to suggest that, like people, trees grow, change, and provide for the world around them.
The Four New Years (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1) –”There are four new years: The first of Nisan is the new year for kings and festivals. The first of Elul is the new year for the tithe of beasts. Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Shimon say: the first of Tishri. The first of Tishri is the new year for years, for shmitta and jubilee years, for planting and for the tithe of vegetables. The first of Shevat is the new year for trees, according to the words of Beit Shammai. Beit Hillel says: on the fifteenth of that month.”
Tu BiShvat follows the ruling of Beit Hillel, marking the 15th of Shevat as the New Year for Trees. This passage reminds us of the deep connection between Jewish time, agriculture, and our responsibility to care for creation.
Explore Midrashim and other Jewish teachings about humanity’s role as caretakers of the earth, reflecting on how we can apply these values to environmental justice and sustainability today.
Key Blessings for Tu BiShvat
When eating fruits, say the Ha'etz blessing:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, Borei Pri Ha’etz.
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
If eating a new fruit for the first time this season, add the Shehecheyanu blessing:
Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, Shehecheyanu, V'kiy'manu, V'higiyanu Laz'man Hazeh.
Blessed are You, Adonai, our God, Sovereign of the universe, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
Fun Activities for Tu BiShvat
Go on a nature walk and reflect on the beauty of the trees and plants around you.
Try a new fruit as a way to experience the diversity of creation.
Create art inspired by trees, fruits, or the environment.
Volunteer with local environmental groups to clean up parks or plant trees.
Journal about your connection to nature and how you can nurture it.
Reflection for Tu BiShvat
Tu BiShvat is more than a celebration of trees—it’s an opportunity for deep spiritual reflection. Just as trees grow roots, produce fruit, and give life to the world, we too can grow, create, and contribute. Ask yourself:
How can I better care for the environment in my daily life?
In what ways can I grow spiritually and support others?
How do I express gratitude for the blessings of the natural world?
Did You Know?
Tree as a Metaphor: In Judaism, the tree is a symbol of life and wisdom. The Torah itself is often referred to as a "Tree of Life" (Etz Chayim).
Environmental Advocacy: Many modern Jewish movements have embraced Tu BiShvat as a platform for environmental justice, tying ancient traditions to contemporary ecological concerns.
Tu BiShvat invites us to deepen our connection to nature, recognize our role as stewards of the earth, and celebrate the blessings of creation. Whether through planting trees, eating fruits, or committing to sustainability, it’s a beautiful reminder of the sacred relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Chag Sameach!
Note: Tu BiShvat begins: The evening of Wed, Feb 12, 2025 – Thu, Feb 13, 2025