Etz-Ron Newsletter
January, 2008

Etz-Ron Candlesticks w/ Anodized Aluminum and Mosaics

The fifteenth day of Shvat is known in the Jewish calendar as Rosh Hashanah for trees. Our Sages have designated this date as the boundary, for trees, between one year of productivity and another.

Since most of the rains of the previous year in the Land of Israel have already fallen any new fruit blossoming after this day is the result of blessings of the New Year.

The reason for the festive mood of Rosh Hashanah of trees is that the 15th of Shvat recalls the praise of the Land of Israel, for on this day the strength of the soil of the land is renewed.

With reference to the fruit of the trees and the produce of the soil, the Torah praises the Land of Israel. “A land of wheat and barley and vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey.”(Devarim 8)

Jews eat lots of fruit on Tu B’Shvat, particularly the kinds associated with Israel. They also try to eat a new fruit, any seasonal fruit they have not tasted in the current year. Hassidic Jews sometimes pray for a perfect etrog to use for Succoth.

Many Jews plant trees on this day or collect money towards planting trees in Israel.