Tu B’Shvat, the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is a minor holiday known as the New Year for Trees!
It says in the Torah that fruit should not be picked in the first three years of a tree’s planting. But how can farmers keep track of when each tree was planted? The Rabbis of the Mishnah solved the problem by declaring that the 15th (“tu”) of the Hebrew month of Shvat would be the official birthday of all trees!
Customs of the day include eating fruit, especially the five which lend their beauty to the Holy Land: grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates (Deut. 8:8).
“Be fruitful!” – Gen 1:28 (First commandment given to humanity)
May we be like a tree and share our fruit with the world!
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