Rosh HaShanah of Trees

 

Angel Oak Tree, Charleston South Carolina

Tu b'Shevat is Wednesday night/Thursday January 25 - we eat fruit associated with the Land of Israel: grapes, figs, pomegranate, dates, olives - see below for laws and customs.

Compiled by Rabbi Shmuel Lesches 

Tu b’Shevat (15th of Shevat) is the Rosh Hashanah for trees, as it is the time when they are infused with sap and their fruits begin the earliest stage of development. Tu B’Shevat is one of the dates used to calculate the years for Orlah (the first three years of a tree’s growth – when its fruit is forbidden), Revai (the fourth year of a tree’s growth – when its fruit must be consecrated), Terumah and Maaser (the tithes given to the Kohen and the Levi). 

Outside of Eretz Yisroel, the laws of Orlah apply to any fruits known to have grown during a tree’s first three years, and the laws of Revai apply to grapes known to have grown during a vine’s fourth year. A Rav should be consulted to compute these times properly. 

Even though Tu B’Shevat is the time of a fruit’s development in the Northern Hemisphere, it is still the date used when calculating Orlah and Revai for fruits grown in the Southern Hemisphere. Contrary to popular misconception, Tu B’Shevat is not the day of judgement for trees. Rather, that occurs on Shavuot.

Tu b'Shevat Customs

On Tu B’Shevat, it is customary to consume the fruit of trees, especially the Shivas Haminim (the fruit for which Eretz Yisroel is praised – grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates). Some have the custom of eating a new fruit and reciting Shehecheyanu. 

It is also customary to eat carobs, which are especially associated with miracles. All this is to praise Hashem for renewing the fruits. 

When eating fruits grown in Eretz Yisroel, one must ensure that there is no concern of Orlah, Revai, Tevel and Shemitah. When shopping for fruit, one should note the country of origin. 

The Lubavitcher Rebbe encouraged giving extra Tzedakah on Tu b’Shevat.

Man is Like a Tree

The Torah likens man to a tree: 

A healthy and vibrant tree constantly grows and produces fruit in abundance, both qualitatively as well as quantitatively. So too, a person must grow and produce fine fruits in Torah, Tefillah and Tzedakah.