Last updated 10:10 a.m. EDT on 6/6/97.

Tu B'Shvat Higia, Hag HaIlanot

Tu B'Shevat is Coming, the Holiday for Trees

Tu B'Shevat (literally, the 15th of Shevat) is a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish calendar. There is no synagogue observance of this holiday, but many schools and other Jewish groups have developed their own observance of this holiday for trees both in Israel and in the Diaspora.

Like many Jewish holidays, Tu B'Shevat has an agricultural origin. In biblical times, the fruit of new trees could not be eaten for the first three years after planting. In the fourth year, the tree's fruit was given to the priests at the Temple, and after that the tree's fruit could be eaten freely, though a tithe was still owed to the Temple priests.

Rather than trying to keep track of when each tree in the land of Israel was planted, the rabbis designated the 15th of Shevat as the universal birthday for all trees. All trees thereby became a year older on Tu B'Shevat regardless of when they were planted.

Today, Tu B'Shevat has become a day to honor trees and all the gifts they give us. It is often referred to as the Jewish Arbor Day and school children go out and plant saplings in new forest areas.

Learn more about planting trees for Tu B'Shevat.
Read about other customs associated with Tu B'Shevat.
A brief, but excellent, discussion of Tu B'Shevat from Judaism 101.
In-depth material on Tu B'Shevat from the JCN.

Return to the Beit HaChatulim Tu B'Shevat page.

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