Tu B'Shvat

Home

Judaism

Holidays

Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat, the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is the New Year for trees. In Israel, many people celebrate Tu B'Shvat by planting trees. See our Tu B'Shvat Photo Page of Noam and his kindergarten class planting trees in Modiin, Israel. Outside of Israel, some collect money for planting trees in Israel.

Tu B'Shvat Seder

Having a Tu B'Shvat Seder is a fun way to celebrate Tu B'Shvat. Invite good friends, eat good food, drink good wine, and read what Judaism has to say about nature!

* Below are Readings for Tu B'Shvat Seder compiled by Neot Kedumim - The Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel (POB 1007, Lod 71100, Israel. Tel. 08-923-3840, Fax 972-8-924-5881). Copyright 1996. Midrashim (rabbinic homilies) are paraphrased from the sources.

The Seven Species

The Hebrew Bible describes Israel as a land blessed with seven fruits and grains:

"a land of wheat and barley, and (grape) vines and fig-trees and pomegranates; a land of olive-trees and (date) honey." (Deuteronomy 8:8)

These seven fruits and grains are called the seven species (shivat haminim). While many other fruits and grains can be found in Israel, the seven species have special status.