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Mitch
Newstadt
B'nai Zion President
Tu BiShevat or the "New Year of the Trees" is Jewish Arbor Day.
The holiday is observed on the fifteenth (Tu) of Shevat. Scholars believe that Tu BiShevat was originally an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.C.E. this holiday was a way for Jews to symbolically bind themselves to their former homeland by eating foods that could be found in Israel. In the seventeenth century Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu BiShevat similar to the Passover seder.
Today, Tu BiShevat has also become a tree planting festival in which both Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor of or in memory of a loved one or friend. To plant a tree in Israel in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one, contact The JNF online Tree Planting Center.
How can you observe Tu BiShevat at your home?
The Jewish New Year of the Trees or Tu BiShevat lends itself to many home observations and activities. Here are a few suggestions and resources for you to try. This year, Tu BiShevat falls on February 8, 2012.
Planting Activities:
Y Plant parsley seeds in sod pots by a sunny window. Harvest the parsley for your Pesach Seder.
Y Plant a flowering bulb kit in a sunny window. In the middle of winter this is a wonderful hint of the spring season to come soon.
Y In our area where some planting outside will work this time of year—plant a sapling in your yard!
Y Plant trees in Israel through your donations to the Jewish National Fund.
Mollie and I are going to plant two trees this year in our new yard for Tu BiShevat. And we will be looking for spring to come to see them grow.
Shalom everybody!
Mitch Newstadt