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What is Tu B’shevat?
Tu B’shevat gets its name from the date on which the holiday occurs, the 15th of the month of Shevat. A minor Jewish holiday, it is often referred to as the new year (or “birthday”) of the trees. The holiday originated in the Talmud, and was based on the date chosen for calculating the agricultural cycle of taking tithes from the produce of the trees, which were brought as first-fruit offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem.
How is Tu B’shevat celebrated?
The holiday of Tu B’shevat fell out of practice after the destruction of the Second Temple, but was revived by kabbalists in the Middle Ages. They instituted the practice of the Tu B’shevat seder, a meal that partly mirrors the Passover seder and involves eating biblical foods native to the Holy Land and drinking four cups of wine.
Tu B’shevat has developed into an ecological holiday that reminds Jews of our connection to the earth and to our role as caretakers of the environment. Some modern practices include donating money to plant trees in Israel or planting trees locally. The kabbalistic Tu B’shevat seder has also been reclaimed.
What kinds of foods are eaten on Tu B’shevat?
As part of the Tu B’shevat seder it is customary to eat from shiv’at ha’minim (seven species endemic to the Land of Israel): wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, dates. Beyond that, there are many possible variations for preparing a Tu B’shevat meal, usually incorporating dried fruit and nuts, and one can be creative in deciding how to plan the menu.
What is the proper greeting for Tu B’shevat?
There is no official greeting for the holiday. The standard “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday) may be said.
When is Tu B’shevat?
As its name in Hebrew suggests, Tu B’shevat occurs on the 15th of Shevat.
Tu B’shevat occurs on the following dates:
Jewish Year 5782: January 17, 2022
Jewish Year 5783: February 6, 2023
Jewish Year 5784: January 25, 2024
Jewish Year 5785: February 13, 2025
Jewish Year 5786: February 2, 2026
Jewish Year 5787: January 23, 2027
Jewish Year 5788: February 12, 2028
Jewish Year 5789: January 31, 2029
Jewish Year 5790: January 19, 2030