Tu B'Shvat, the Mishnaic New Year of the Trees, began Sunday evening, with many people observing the kabbalistic tradition of a Seder of the seven species of Israeli produce mentioned in the Bible, as well as other Israeli fruit and wine. The observance is timed to mark the passing of most of the winter rainfall, although in recent years, the precipitation has been less than average.
On Monday, the traditional planting of trees and other plants is scheduled to take place. A number of the plantings were observed ahead of time on Sunday.
Tu B'Shvat Back in 1913
As early as 1913, in the pioneering days of modern Jewish settlement of the Land of Israel, the Israel Teacher's Association and 1,500 Jewish students traveled to the Jewish colony of Motza, three miles west of Jerusalem. The students planted trees and exchanged fruits with each other. The Jewish National Fund further cultivated the Jewish Arbor Day in an effort to combat the deadly disease of malaria in the swamplands of the Hula Valley. The JNF planted eucalyptus trees in order to drain the malaria-infested areas, saving Jewish pioneers' lives.
However, Tu B’Shvat, which is recorded in the Mishna, delineates Israel’s two main seasons: the winter rainy season, which starts shortly after Rosh HaShana, and the arid summer season. It typically does not rain at all during the summer. Therefore, the inhabitants of Israel are dependent upon the winter's rainfall.
Tu B'Shvat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, is the day by which most of the winter's rain has fallen. Trees generally respond to the cold winter weather by hibernating. The cold winter rains do not benefit the future fruit as much as they benefit the dormant tree whose leaves have fallen. However, when Tu B'Shvat comes and spring approaches, the weather usually intermittently warms, and the tree begins to circulate its nutrients to the leaves that begin to photosynthesize. Israeli almond trees are the first to blossom shortly after Tu B'Shvat, followed by peaches and apricots.
The beginning phase of the fruit's development occurs shortly after the tree's blossoming. The Sages explained that if the beginning phase would occur after Tu B'Shvat, most of the fruit's sustenance would be received from this year's winter rains, whereas the fruits that were to blossom prior to Tu B'Shvat (a very rare occurrence) would have been nourished from the previous year's rains.
Eating the Fruits of Our Labor
It is customary to partake of fruit on this day, especially from the produce for which the Land of Israel is praised. These species are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. By our increasing the recitation of blessings upon G-d’s produce, we become cognizant of G-d’s providential role in creation. Not by our toil alone does the Land bear fruit. If not for G-d providing rain and sustenance, the farmer's efforts would be wasted.