Tu Bi-Shvat
Description
Tu BiShvat is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Shvat, and the name of the holiday literally translates to “15th of Shvat.”
This is the date when, according to Jewish tradition, the new year for trees begins.
The Torah prohibits eating fruit from trees during their first four years after planting. Therefore, a way to determine the age of trees was needed, and the rabbis established a special holiday—a kind of birthday for all trees. It is considered that on Tu BiShvat, all trees become one year older.
Some Jews hold a special seder on Tu BiShvat—a ceremonial dinner featuring fruits and spices grown in Israel. Today, Tu BiShvat is an ecological holiday, reminding people of their duty to care for nature. Most Israelis participate in tree-planting activities.
