The Jewish New Year of the Trees, Tu B'Shvat, begins tonight at sundown. It's a really wonderful holiday and the different modes of celebrating it in Israel are interesting and special.
I've been privileged to have been there two out of the past three years on this day, and now I miss it. They say that on Tu B'Shvat the almond trees begin to bloom there, and that was certainly true last year. It's also supposed to be the day that the sap in the trees starts to rise, heralding the impending arrival of spring. Here in the northeast of the U.S., we're experiencing some of the coldest temperatures we've had in years and we have a fresh, light blanket of snow on the ground in my neighborhood, so it doesn't feel much like spring yet.
It's a custom on Tu B'Shvat to try to eat as many as possible of the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised in the Bible: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates. People also make a point of planting trees on this day (though this year, because it falls on Shabbat, observant Jews will not). And the celebration of the holiday was elaborated by the Kabbalist mystics in the 16th century, who developed a ritual meal, patterned loosely after the Passover Seder, to honor the day. There are several different versions of this Tu B'Shvat "seder" practiced today. Here's one that I like a lot.
You can also find lovely Tu B'Shvat posts up over at Imshin's place and Kesher Talk [??? it disappeared, but you can also find it here]. Enjoy the day!
Shabbat Shalom.
Chag Sameach.
