by Hilary Peer

Created on: January 25, 2010   Last Updated: January 26, 2010

Tu Bishvat is the New year for trees. The name is derived from the Hebrew date of the holiday, the 15th of Shvat 'TU' stands for the Hebrew numerals "Tet Vav" which is fifteen. Tu Bishvat is one of four new years in the Jewish calender. In Israel the land comes alive at this time of year. All the plants and flowers are blooming. The children come home from Kindergarten and school singing all the festive songs. The children learn about the different types of trees and flowers and learn to appreciate the nature around them. They plant saplings and seeds. Many Children born around Tu Bishvat are given names like 'Shaked' (almond) or Oren (Pine)

There are many beautiful traditions, one of them is to plant trees. This tradition started in 1890 by Rabbi Zeev Yavetz, who took his students to plant trees in the agricultural colony of Zichron Yakov.This custom was adopted by in 1908 by the Jewish Teachers Union and later by the Keren Keyemet Yisrael (Jewish National Fund)  Every year on Tu Bishvat there are tree planting activities all over the country, especially in rural areas. I live on a Moshav, (an agricultural community) and every year there are special activities for all the family, it is wonderful to see everyone joining together to celebrate the land that we live on. Another tradition that is also celebrated out side of Israel is a special Tu Bishvat seder. In the 16th century, Sephardic Kabbalists [mystics] composed a Tu BiShvat Seder, based upon the Pesach seder. (The Sephardic Jews originated from Spain).

The Tu Bishvat Seder is loosely based on the Pesach Seder. In particular, just like the Pesach [Passover] Seder, there are four glasses of wine drunk during the Seder. It is also a tradition to eat dried fruits and nuts, especially figs, dates, raisins, carobs and almonds. It is said that we should at least fifteen different types of fruit on Tu Bishvat. During the Seder some people recite a poem by "Shin Shalom" called the Fifteenth Of Shvat. All the  details of the Seder service can be found on the website http://www.akhlah.com/holidays/tubshvat/seder.

For me Tu Bishvat is a holiday for everyone, its not only a fun and happy festival but one that reminds us of the real value of the nature around us. It's a time where we can give back to the land by re planting trees and plants. Being here at the his special time of year gives me a proud feeling.

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