This year Tu B’Shvat was celebrated on January 30, 2010. On this day every tree in the land of Israel celebrates a birthday, and is considered one year older. This dating is important, because according to Jewish law the fruit of trees produced in the first three years are not permissible to eat, and the fourth year’s fruit must be set aside for G-d, and in the fifth year the fruits may be eaten.

It is a common custom to plant trees on this day, especially in Israel. Many people also partake in a Tu B’Shvat Seder, which has some similarities to a Passover Seder, especially the drinking of four cups of wine. This was a mystical custom begun by the kabbalists in the city of Safed in the 17th century, but it has become quite widespread throughout many Jewish communities.

In many of Rabbi Milton Balkany’s speeches that he has delivered through the years he has often used imagery from nature to inspire his words and enhance his message. It is clear the themes of Tu B’Shvat have come to inspire him as they have inspired the rest of the world.

Almond tree in Bloom

Soon the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, or the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, will be upon us. But what is this festival that some call “Jewish Arbor Day?”

According to Jewish Law Tu B’Shvat is considered the cut-off date for calculating the age of a fruit tree. The age of a tree needs to be taken into consideration for the prohibition on eating “orlah” which is the fruit a tree bears its first three seasons. When a tree is bearing fruit in its third year, the fruit that is ripening on the tree before Tu B’Shvat is considered orlah and cannot be eaten. However, it is permissible to eat the fruit ripening either on or after Tu B’Shvat.

Aside from Jewish Law, Tu B’Shvat has come to be a day to celebrate the beauty of nature and the importance of appreciating, protecting and preserving the world of nature. Trees are a wonderful symbol of the natural world, and it behooves everyone to go out and plant a tree on this day of renewal and rebirth.

Rabbi Balkany wishes everyone a happy Tu B’Shvat.