Tu B’Shvat: The Jewish New Year for Trees

The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat begins this year at sunset on Friday, Jan. 25 and continues through Saturday, Jan. 26. Known as Tu B’Shvat, it’s the Jewish New Year for Trees—similar to Earth Day or Arbor Day.

In a world that is growing more environmentally conscious, Tu B’Shvat is the perfect day to stop and celebrate the beauty of nature and the bounty that we enjoy as protectors of the land.

Many Jews celebrate Tu B’Shvat by planting trees. It’s also customary to eat a new fruit on this day, and some people celebrate by taking part in a Tu B’Shvat Seder—a celebratory meal.

The Seder usually consists of four glasses of wine—similar to the Passover Seder—and an abundance of fruits and grains that are grown in the land of Israel.

The seven traditional foods eaten usually include pomegranates, grapes, olives, dates, figs, wheat and barley, although anything that grows in Israel is accepted. Almonds are a popular choice along with other nuts, as are oranges, apples and pears.