JBFCS: Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs

Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs of the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services

January 2005

By Dennis Math, a Jewish Health, Healing and Recovery Network Volunteer

The Message of Tu B'Shevat

The holiday of Tu B'shevat is frequently called "The New Year of Trees." On the Hebrew calender, Tu B'shevat is the fifteenth day of the month of Shevat. The name comes from the Hebrew letters tet {9} and vav {6}. This year, Tu B'shevat falls on January 25th.

This holiday is not found in the Bible, but derives from the mishnaic period (about 150 BCE to 200CE). The rabbis chose this date of the fifteenth day of Shevat because on this date the trees stopped absorbing water from the ground, and instead, drew nourishment from their sap.

This holiday also served a very practical purpose. According to Jewish Law, a tenth of one's produce had to be given as a tax, or tithe, which went to the priesthood or the poor. The rabbis viewed Tu B'Shvat as the day from which the tithes should be calculated, and the date from which immature fruit was prohibited. The tithe of ripened fruits had to be of the same tax year. Consequently, fruit which blossomed prior to the fifteenth of Shevat could not be used as a tithe for fruit which blossomed after that date.

Over the years, it became the practice to eat the fruits on this day grown in the Land of Israel. It became customary to plant trees in honor of this holiday. It is even a practice to conduct a seder. This seder ceremony goes back to the 16th century and was originated by the Kabbalists or Jewish mystics. The seder takes the participants on a journey through different physical and metaphysical realms. Fruits are eaten, blessings are recited and stories about trees and nature are told. Four cups of wine are drunk, each one redder than the one before, symbolizing the changing pattern of wildflowers in Israel during the year, and bringing to mind the awakening of the earth from slumber to reawakening.

The realm of trees speaks to those of us who have experienced adversity, pain and loss. During the months of cold and darkness, they are hit by storms. Their branches are bent and they bend low. Yet during these times, they are gathering inner strength, and bloom even stronger than before. We are sometimes bent back by life's challenges. But if we meet them, we can grow stronger as a result.

There is a story found in our tradition which is frequently recited on Tu B'Shevat. Many years ago, in Israel, there lived a man named Honi. One day, Honi came upon a very old man planting a carob tree. He said to the old man, "Do you think you will ever live to eat of the fruit of this tree you are growing?" The man looked at Honi and replied, "My grandparents planted a tree for me and I have eaten of its fruit. I am planting this tree and someday my grandchildren will enjoy its fruit." Only then Honi realized that one must plant not only for oneself, but for future generations as well. What we say and how we act, particularly at times of crisis, may be repeated by those who come after us.

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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