Dates
Tu Bishvat is a Jewish holiday that falls on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat. It is celebrated on Wednesday, February 4, 2015, in the Gregorian calendar.
History
Known as the Jewish “New Year for Trees,” Tu Bishvat marks the beginning of the agricultural year. It’s now commonly seen as a celebration of nature and the environment.
In antiquity, the agricultural new year was used to help calculate the yearly tithes of produce which were given to the Temple in Jerusalem. As fruit from one year could not be used to tithe for another, crop year dates had to be determined.
Customs
At a celebratory seder, it is customary to eat the “seven species” named in Deuteronomy 8:8, which are wheat, barley, olives, dates/honey, grapes, figs, and pomegranates. The Deuteronomy 20:19 quote which says, in effect, that “man is a tree of the field,” is also remembered at this time.
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Meditation: Sowing seeds are also like the fulfillment of good deeds. Once a seed is planted, it breaks apart and releases growth potential. In other words, it ceases to be what it was and becomes something greater. When a Jew fulfills a mitzvah, it is because God has commanded him to do so. He lets go of his ego and his inclinations and becomes something greater than he was before. The blessing over pears: Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, boray peri ha-etz. “Blessed are you God, Creator of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.”
The World of Emanation (Atzilut) is too purely divine to have physical representation. Instead we rely on fragrance. We pray on Tu Bishvat, when all the trees are judged, that God should make available for us a kosher and especially beautiful etrog in time for Sukkot. The blessing for smelling fragrant fruit: Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha-olam boreh minei besamim. “Blessed are You, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe Who creates different types of spices.”
Meditation: Think about being alone among the trees and grass, among all growing things, and praying, talking, to God. Imagine expressing everything in your heart in prayer. Imagine pouring out the words of your heart before God like water. The blessing over an ugli: Baruch atah adonai, elohainu melech ha-olam, boray peri ha-etz. “Blessed are you God, Creator of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.”
A special blessing may be said over a seasonal or other fruit on the table that one has not tasted in at least a year: Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, she’hechiyanu v’kiyimanu v’higiyanu lazman hazeh. “Blessed are You God, Creator of the Universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.”
