 Tu B'Shevat
On January 29, 2010, Jews around the world---and especially those in Israel---will celebrate a minor holiday called Tu B'Shevat. Translated as the 15th day of the month of Shevat, which is the 7th month of the Bible-based lunar year, Tu B'Shevat is known as "the new year for trees."
The holiday finds its origin in Leviticus 19:23: " 'When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten."
How were the Israelites to remember the age of every tree in the land so as to comply with God's command? To avert an unmanageable administrative situation, it was determined that every tree's "birthday" would be reckoned on the 15th day of the 7th month of the year in which that tree was planted. This particular date was chosen as it marked the culmination of the heaviest of the winter rains. As spring approached, certain trees would soon begin to bud.
The Creator reigns as Sovereign over creation. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. (Psalm 24:1) In every detail of His created life, He seeks to mediate His loving holiness and protect His people from the ways of our sin-sick planet. So He instructs us to allow trees, an invaluable source of sustenance to humankind to mature a full three years before eating their fruit. The trees must be given time to grow firm, showing themselves healthy and strong, before their fruit can be consumed. This principle could easily be extended and applied to our consumption of spiritual fruit by God's spiritual plantings, namely, His ministers. Blessed is the [ one whose] delight is in the law of the Lord. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Tu B'Shevat was observed and remembered during the Jews' 2,000 year exile from the Land of Israel. At the turn of the last century, the early Zionist pioneers regarded the planting of trees as integral to the reclamation and revival of the land. Today, trees are essential to the survival of the Jewish State for ecological, topographical, agricultural, industrial and other reasons. More trees are sorely needed, and you can help meet this need by purchasing a tree that will be planted in Israel. This can be easily done online. The Jewish National Fund will do the physical planting, but you will receive a certificate attesting to your tree in the Holy Land. Not only does such a tree purchased in honor of a special person in your life make a cherished gift, but it provides a simple and tangible means of blessing Israel. Tu B'Shevat reminds us all that the fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. (Proverbs 11:30) |
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