Yes, trees celebrate New Year’s Day, just not on the same day we do. Among the holidays to look forward to in 2022, one of the few that planet earth is probably most excited for is Tu biShvat, otherwise known as the New Year for Trees. On January 17th, millions of Jews around the world will be partaking in a festivity of planting trees and other environmentally friendly voluntarism.
Origin
The Jewish celebration, often considered Jewish Earth Day, originated from Biblical law. When the Tabernacle stood in Jerusalem, on years one, two, four and five of a seven year agricultural cycle, farmers were required to separate a tenth of their produce and eat it in Jerusalem. But, instead of the owners eating their own fruit it was given as a tithe to the poor to enjoy. The tithe was called Maaser Sheni (the Second Tithe).
There’s a bit of science behind this holiday, as Tu biShvat is held during the rainy season in Israel. It takes the soil there as much as four months to saturate, nurture the trees and push them to produce the fruit that the day of observance is known for (the tithing of fruit).
Since the tithing of fruit was only by specific years of the seven year cycle, knowing which fruit blossomed before and after the new year was pertinent. According to Jewish custom, fruits which blossomed before the 15th of Shevat are a product of the previous year and if blossomed after, they’re a product of the new year.
Modern Customs
International media often considers Tu BiShvat as the “Israeli Arbor Day.” Although that was never the original intention of this holiday, ecological organizations in Israel have adopted the green friendly theme as a means to further environmental awareness programs. Origin to the modern custom of planting trees on Tu BiShvat goes as far back as 1890, when Rabbi Ze’ev Yavetz took his students to plant trees in the agricultural colony of Zichron Yaakov. Just 18 years later this custom was adopted by the Jewish Teachers Union and later by the Jewish National Fund. By the early 20th century, the Jewish National Fund had devoted the day to planting eucalyptus trees as a method to halt malaria in the Hula valley. Today, on every Tu BiShvat, organizations hold major tree planting events in large forests all over the world.
Among traditional customs held in honor of the holiday that you can still enjoy is the eating of fruit, especially the fruits that Israel is famous for like olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates.