Tu Bishvat

[RabbiO]

Tu BiSh'vat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees" begins this erev Shabbat (Friday evening).

You will not find it mentioned in Hebrew scripture.

As Rabbi Daniel Syme points out, "Tu BiSh'vat is first mentioned in the Mishnah, the code of Jewish law that dates back to around 200 C.E. There, in Rosh Hashanah 1:1, the text speaks of four new years, all of which are connected to an ancient cycle of tithes. Each year, the Israelites were expected to bring one-tenth of their fruits to the Temple in Jerusalem, where they were offered to God and also helped sustain the priestly class and the poor. Since fruit from one year could not be used to tithe for another, the Rabbis had to determine when a crop year would begin and end. They chose the month of Sh'vat as the cut-off date, for this is when, in Israel, the sap begins to run and the trees start to awaken from their winter slumber, before beginning to bear fruit.

Like Hanukkah, Tu BiSh'vat is a post-biblical festival, instituted by the Rabbis. However, the holiday has biblical roots. The tithing system upon which it is based dates back to the Torah and its deep concern with trees, harvests, and the natural world, all of which are at the heart of Tu BiSh'vat...

Although the celebration of Tu BiSh'vat has a long and varied history, the theme most commonly ascribed to the holiday today is the environment. It is considered a festival of nature, full of wonder, joy, and thankfulness for God’s creation in anticipation of the renewal of the natural world. During this festival, Jews recall the sacred obligation to care for God’s world, and the responsibility to share the fruits of God’s earth with all."

Edited January 25, 2013 by RabbiO

[Brother Kaman]

That is interesting, RabbiO. Thank you.

[Fawzo]

That is very interesting. I can understand the Rabbi's concern for getting year old fruit

[emalpaiz]

That is very interesting and spiritually beautiful.

Hermano Luis

[Atwater Vitki]

Refreshing and enlightening, thank you.