Tu BiSh'vat - NEW YEAR OF TREES
Sh'vat 15
Jewish communities in Israel and abroad observe the Festival of
Tu BiSh’vat—(The Jewish New Year of Trees) by eating different kinds
of fruit: apple, orange, grapefruit, prickly pear, fig, pear, and carob,
cherry, avocado, and olive. Also used to celebrate the festival is a
variety of nuts such as walnut, pecan, peanut, pine nut , brazil nut,
pistachio, and almond [sometimes coconut as well]. In Israel,
celebration of Tu BiSh’vat involves planting of trees as part of a
commitment to re-forest the land.
In the Torah (Deuteronomy 8:8), G-d promised to bless Israel with
abundant fertility of crops. Seven species were specifically identified:
Wheat, Barley, Grapes, Olives, Figs, Pomegranates, Dates & Honey.
Today, Israel is one of the most agriculturally productive countries in
the world. Its land produces an even larger variety of crops than those
listed in the Torah. The L-rd is faithful to keep His covenant promises
to His people.
Ezekiel 34:27 The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground
will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land. They will
know that I am the L-RD...