Tu Bishvat Links

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Celebrate Tu Bishvat!

What is Tu Bishvat? 

Tu Bishvat is the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shvat. This year it begins at sundown on Monday, January 21, and continues through Tuesday, January 22. Tu Bishvat is sometimes called the new year for trees or the birthday of trees. A tree was considered to have aged one year on Tu Bishvat. In the ancient world, the 15th of Shvat was designated as the boundary between years, since most rains have fallen by that date and trees begin drawing nourishment from their sap. Fruit that ripened after Tu Bishvat was assessed for the next year's tithing (tax payment).

How do the themes of Tu Bishvat relate to modern life?

Tu Bishvat is a time to appreciate nature's gifts, including trees. Besides the beauty and utility of trees to us, they signify growth, renewal, and the continuity of life. Tu Bishvat has become a time for many people to reconnect with nature and with Eretz Yisrael and to express their ecological concerns.

What are some ways to observe Tu Bishvat?

1. Eat the fruits of Israel (and say the blessing below). Eat a new fruit in order to say shehecheyanu. Traditional species, which are said by the Bible to have been brought to the Temple, and for which Israel is praised include wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. 
2. Plant a tree in Israel. Order a tree online at www.jnf.org. 
3. Prepare a special food in honor of Tu Bishvat, incorporating the fruits of Israel. Try one of our recipes of the month, or create your own. 
4. Try out a Tu Bishvat craft or puzzle by following these links.
   
   In Minnesota we can't plant trees outside in January, but we can click here to make our own kitchen forest
   
   Click here to color some pictures in honor of Tu Bishvat.
   
   Click here to try a holiday word find.

What blessings can I say when eating fruit on Tu Bishvat?

Before eating one of the fruits, recite the following blessing:

Barukh attah a-donai, e-loheinu melekh ha-olam borei pri ha-etz.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, who creates the fruit of the tree.

Before eating a seasonal fruit that you have not tasted yet this season, recite the following blessing:

Barukh attah a-donai e-loheinu melekh ha-olam she-hecheyanu ve-kiy'manu v'higi'anu la-zman ha-zeh. 

Blessed are you, Lord our God, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

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