Tu Bishvat – the 15th of Shevat

Tu Bishvat – the 15th of Shevat is the Rosh Hashana for the new fruits. Tu BiShvat holds legal significance in Jewish law with regards to the ma’aser, tithing, and orla of fruit in Eretz Yisroel, but it’s also celebrated with joy as we look forward to the sweet bounty of the coming year. It is celebrated by having a variety of fruits upon which we make Shechiyonu as well as others, particularly from the Shivas Haminim that are singled out by the Torah in its praise of the Eretz Yisroel (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates). There is a Chassidic custom of davening, on Tu Bishvat, for a beautiful esrog (citron) to be used on Sukkos.

Idea behind Tu Bishvat

This day, called “The New Year of Trees,” conveys an uplifting idea: our sages teach that on this day, a unique wave of Divine energy flows through all of creation, a forerunner of the restoration, rejuvenation and rebirth of spring. Deep within the natural world, the vital force of life begins to rise up, within each tree, within each blade of grass, preparing for renewal.

Tu Bishvat and Purim

There is an intrinsic connection between Tu B’Shevat and Purim because they are always exactly thirty days apart. Thirty days is the time period for preparation before a festival. This means Tu Bishvat is when we start renewing a positive and happy time, after the month of Teves being a sad time.

The almond tree has special significance for Tu Bishvat. It is the first of the fruit trees to blossom each year in Eretz Yisroel. The word for almond in Hebrew also means to watch. The almond is used to express quick punishment in the haftora of the three weeks, whilst here the almond is used to express a new outlook towards the month of Adar and happiness climaxed at Purim.