Today is Tu B’Shevat. The number 15 is written in Hebrew Tet, Vav. When said out loud it is pronounced Tu. B’ means "in." So today is the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, often called the "New Year of the Trees."
You may ask, why do trees need a "New Year?" Why can’t they just join us in the synagogue on Rosh Hashanah each fall? Halacha, Jewish law, has a need to measure the age of trees. Because a tithe can only be taken from trees once they reach the age of three years. It would difficult to measure and keep track of the day on which a tree is "born." So the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat is the birthday of all trees. In the land of Israel at this time of year the almond trees begin to bloom.
We do not currently collect tithes. We have not done so since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70. Tu B’Shevat has taken on new meanings.
In the middle ages, Kabbalists, Jewish mystics developed a Tu B’Shevat seder which tied eating fruits and nuts in a particular sequence with the quest for hidden wisdom. In our time this custom has been revived.
In the modern era, Tu B’Shevat has become an occasion to express our connection to the Land of Israel. The early Zionist pioneers planted tress to drain the swamps and reforest the desolate land of Israel. Since 1908, the Jewish National Fund has turned to Jewish children around the world to participate in this process.
For many years we have responded to the Jewish National Fund’s appeal to plant a tree in Israel. I recall as a child bringing dimes to Hebrew School to place in a card board holder. When I reached my goal of 20 dimes, I had enough to buy a tree for Israel.
Many Jews today observe the custom to eat produce of the land of Israel that we have not yet eaten this year. This afternoon our Hebrew school students will enjoy dates, figs, and Israeli olives.
