The New Year for Trees

The 15th of Shevat on the Jewish calendar—celebrated this year on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at sundown, is the day that marks the beginning of a “new year” for trees. Commonly known as Tu Bishvat, this day marks the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel emerge from their winter sleep and begin a new fruit-bearing cycle.

We mark the 15th of Shevat by eating fruit mentioned in the Torah in its praise of the bounty of the Holy Land: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.

The tree of life is nothing other than Torah, as it is stated: “It is a tree of life to those who hold fast to it, and those who support it are joyous” (Proverbs 3:18).

Tree of Life Sterling Silver Necklace