Celebrating Tu B'Shevat: A Guide to the Jewish New Year for Trees
Understanding the Significance of Tu B'Shevat
Tu B'Shevat is an important holiday celebrated by Jews all around the world, especially in Israel. This holiday, which is celebrated on February 5th, marks the beginning of spring and is known as the New Year of Trees. The holiday is named after its date (Tu represents the number 15 in Hebrew, and Shevat is the month's name), and it's a time for planting new trees, celebrating nature, and reflecting on our environmental responsibilities.
The Roots of Tu B'Shevat
In biblical times, it was important to have a cycle for the trees because of the rules for bringing produce to the Temple and other biblical laws regarding fruit and trees. The cycle was used to keep track of how old the trees were so they could determine when the fruit was ready for use. The holiday was also used to determine the start and end of a crop year.The mystics (kabbalists) of Tzfat, a holy city in northern Israel, found spiritual significance in Tu B'Shevat. They found spirituality in the seeds and fruits of trees and developed a Tu B'Shevat seder to help us tap into that spirituality. Today, it is traditional to eat certain foods grown in Israel during this holiday, such as almonds, olives, dates, figs, apricots, wheat, barley, and pomegranates.
Planting Trees in Modern Israel
Tu B'Shevat has become important for the development of the landscape of Israel. The Zionist pioneers developed the tradition of planting trees in honor of the holiday, and this has continued through today. Planting trees has transformed the once mostly desert land into a lush and prosperous environment. It is a traditional practice to plant a tree in Israel on Tu B'Shevat, and Jews do it all year long as a meaningful way to honor friends and relatives or to celebrate milestones in someone's life.
Celebrating Tu B'Shevat as a Jewish "Earth Day"
In recent times, environmentalists have embraced Tu B'Shevat as a Jewish "Earth Day," a time for promoting learning about our responsibilities to the environment we live in. The Hebrew phrase, "Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh," "all of Israel is responsible for each other," reminds us of our obligation to look after each other now and for the future. And Tu B'Shevat is the perfect time to think about how important it is to care for our environment so that we can leave the earth a better place for the next generation.
Ways to Honor Tu B'Shevat
- Plant a tree in Israel in honor of Tu B'Shevat or in memory of someone you love.
- Have a Tu B'Shevat Seder with your family.
- Watch a short video about Tu B'Shevat.
- Take a Tu B'Shevat quiz with your whole family.
- Give Tzedakah, contribute to any organization that works to help the environment.
- Take a nature walk and appreciate the environment around you.
- Have your camper send a drawing or picture of their favorite tree or outdoor space at camp.
At Beber Camp, we encourage our campers to spend some time among trees and appreciate the beauty of nature. Tu B'Shevat is a time for us to reflect on our environmental responsibilities and take steps to leave the earth a better place for future generations.