Rabbi's Blog

Tu Bishvat – New Year’s for the Trees… Mazel Tov? Isn’t it a little strange…? Since when do trees celebrate holidays, let alone their own New Year’s Day? Tu Bishvat is actually discussed in the Talmud, where it’s recognized that after four months of rain saturating the soil, the trees start to “reawaken,” and the sap begins to flow back up the tree in order to produce fruit. Thus, it’s their New Year’s Day (insert cone-shaped noise-maker sound here). So how does this tie back to us and why would we celebrate their holiday? Well firstly, it’s an excellent opportunity for us to thank HaShem for all the amazing fruits that we have an opportunity to enjoy each and every year (did you know that there are over 2000 types of fruit in the world, of which we only regularly enjoy far less than 10% of them in the West!). Secondly, on a more mystical level, the Jewish People are inextricably tied into the very fabric of the world. Our actions have a direct impact on everything, including the bountifulness of the annual produce. This is an opportunity to meditate upon that fact and consider what we can do in our own personal lives to improve ourselves spiritually, and consequently, this year’s bounty! Shabbat Shalom & Happy Tu Bishvat