TU B’SHEVAT – THE NEW YEAR OF TREES. by Raphael ben Levi
Tu B’Shevat is celebrated today (Shevat 15, Monday 6th Feb. 2023) 40 days before Adar 25, which some believe to be the first day when God created the world. The Rebbe Leibel Eiger said that it takes 45 days for a seed to sink in and become rooted into the earth. So, there are 45 days from Tu B’Shevat until Nissan, the month of our redemption (Passover).
During Tu B’Shevat, people eat the fruit of the seven species of Israel. These were types of fruits and grains named in the Torah as the main produce and staple diet of the Israelites in Canaan.
The Bible has many things to say about trees. Tu B’Shevat, the new year of trees is specifically connected with the almond tree, the first tree that blossoms in Israel in this season leading from winter into spring. The almond tree is extremely resilient, and its gnarled and leafless appearance is turned into something of striking beauty with the blooming of its fragrant pinkish-white flowers that attract wild bees. It represents the ravages of evil which distort a person’s inward appearance that God can transform through His fragrant love through Yeshua who makes all things new! (2Cor. 5:17)
A tree is recognised by its fruit and Scripture likens it to a righteous person: “… the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal.5:22-23). This is in stark contrast to the world who evaluates a person’s ‘fruit’ quite differently that is captured beautifully in the following story:
“When Messiah comes, then our mouths will be full of laughter. All the great leaders of the Jewish people will be sitting in a gala reception hall. The most important leadersof the Jewish establishment will have seats on the dais right next to Messiah. There will be a benefit journal, and all the great Jewish leaders will have pages and pages giving honour to each other. All the great leaders will wait for Messiah to honour the greatest of them for having helped facilitate his coming and the final redemption, and Messiah will get up and say, “Moshele the water-carrier standing all the way in the back of the hall, you brought me here.”
