Tu B'Shevat - 'Rosh HaShanah Le’ilanot’
New Year for Trees
TU B’SHEVAT – pronounce “Tu” as “too,” and “Shevat” with a short “e” and “a.” The accent is on the “vat.” It means 15th of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. It is comparable to January/February. It will be celebrated on Thursday 25th February in 2024. The word "Tu" is not really a word; it is the number 15 in Hebrew.
Almond Grove in the Galilee
Tu B’Shevat is the New Year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. See Leviticus 19:23-25, which states that fruit from trees may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year's fruit is for God, and after that, you can eat the fruit. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B’Shevat, so if you planted a tree on Shevat 14, it begins its second year the next day, but if you plant a tree two days later, on Shevat 16, it does not reach its second year until the next Tu B’Shevat.
Tu B’Shevat is not mentioned in the Bible
Almond Blossom - Jerusalem
Although it is not mentioned explicitly in the bible, Scriptures clearly teach that God is the Creator of all life, including vegetation (Genesis 1:11-13). God told Adam in Genesis 1:29 “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
In Deuteronomy 20:19 we read that fruit trees are not to be destroyed during warfare. God obviously cares about the trees of the field and doesn’t want them needlessly destroyed, since they are unable to escape when the city is besieged. “You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down.”
In Deuteronomy 20:19 we read that fruit trees are not to be destroyed during warfare. God obviously cares about the trees of the field and doesn’t want them needlessly destroyed, since they are unable to escape when the city is besieged. “You may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down.”
Fig Tree
Jesus (Yeshua) used agricultural images in his parables, explaining that people are known by the “fruits” of their lives in Matthew 7:16-20. He talked about sowing and reaping in Matthew 13:3-23 and compared the Kingdom of Heaven to the secret working of the‘mustard seed’ in Matthew 13:31-32. Jesus regarded the world as a “field for planting with different types of soil” in Matthew 13:38-43 and pointed to the sign of the fig tree to indicate the nearness of the prophesied End of Days in Matthew 24:32-33. He also used the metaphor of a ‘vine and its branches’ to explain how his followers are to be connected to Him in John 15:1-6.
The Tree of Life
The Tree of Life in Yeshua (Jesus)
The Bible begins and ends with the “Tree of Life” – first in the Garden of Eden, and then in the midst of the paradise of Heaven. “The Tree of Life (etz ha-chayim) was in the midst of the garden..”
(Genesis 2:9).
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the Tree of Life (etz ha-chayim) with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month….”
(Revelation 22:1-2).
(Genesis 2:9).
"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also on either side of the river, the Tree of Life (etz ha-chayim) with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month….”
(Revelation 22:1-2).
Pomegranate (Rimon) Orchard
The twelve months of the Jewish Year are directly linked to the twelve fruits from the Tree of Life “each month rendering its fruit” – 12 months, 12 fruits… The sequence of biblical holidays (mo’edim) was always intended to teach us revelation about God. That is why God created the Sun and Moon for signs and for “appointed times” (Genesis 1:13). In Psalm 104:19 “He made the moon to mark the appointed times, the sun knows it’s time for setting”.
In Revelation 22:14 we read “Blessed are those who do His commandments so that they may have access to the Tree of Life…” Faith and obedience are two sides of the same coin.
In Revelation 22:14 we read “Blessed are those who do His commandments so that they may have access to the Tree of Life…” Faith and obedience are two sides of the same coin.
Date Palms
We are called to “Choose life!” in everything we do. If we live by faith, resurrection life will triumph in us through the Messiah. We will become agents of hope and healing to a dark and lost world… and when finally our redemption is complete, even the trees of the field will clap their hands in joy!
Yeshua said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever puts his trust in me will live, even if he dies; and everyone living and trusting in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26 CJB)
Yeshua said to her, “I AM the Resurrection and the Life! Whoever puts his trust in me will live, even if he dies; and everyone living and trusting in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26 CJB)
Observance and Customs
There are few customs or observances related to this holiday. It is the National Arbour Day for Israelis, therefore school children plant trees and learn about conservation and nature projects on this day. One custom is to eat a new fruit on this day. The Jewish Nature Fund (JNF) encourages people to plant trees on this day. The tree symbolises the revival of Israel’s land, and the Jewish people’s bond with that land. Israel is perhaps the only country on earth whose forests are increasing and whose deserts are decreasing. Trees are used to reduce noise and air pollution, reducing soil erosion and beautifying the land.
On this day it is customary to eat the fruit for which Israel is famous: (Deuteronomy 8:8) Olives (Zeytim), Dates (Tamahreem) including date honey (Silan), Grapes (Ha Gefen), Figs (Te’enim), Pomegranates (Rimon - say Reemon).
The honey spoken of here is ‘date honey’ – syrup derived from dates. The fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil are referred to in the Bible describing the richness of Eretz Israel (Land of Israel). Verse 8 in Deuteronomy 8 speaks of two types of grain and five types of fruit, therefore the day on which the soil of Israel receives renewed strength to give forth its bounty, is a day of rejoicing for the people of Israel – who love the land and yearn for it.
On this day it is customary to eat the fruit for which Israel is famous: (Deuteronomy 8:8) Olives (Zeytim), Dates (Tamahreem) including date honey (Silan), Grapes (Ha Gefen), Figs (Te’enim), Pomegranates (Rimon - say Reemon).
The honey spoken of here is ‘date honey’ – syrup derived from dates. The fruits of the trees and the produce of the soil are referred to in the Bible describing the richness of Eretz Israel (Land of Israel). Verse 8 in Deuteronomy 8 speaks of two types of grain and five types of fruit, therefore the day on which the soil of Israel receives renewed strength to give forth its bounty, is a day of rejoicing for the people of Israel – who love the land and yearn for it.
Jeremiah 1:11-12: The word of the Lord came to me:“What do you see Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Almond Trees - Jerusalem
The rainy and cold season ends when the almond trees begin to blossom, it is the first of the fruiting trees to blossom after winter and its fragrance permeates Jerusalem at this time of year. In Hebrew almond is Shakad which means to ‘watch’ or ‘wake’.
The blooming branch of an Almond tree is so beautiful that the Lord decorated the Menorah with oil cups in the shape of almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33-34; 37:19-20).
The Menorah itself is a symbol of the ‘Tree of Life’ and therefore it is fitting to regard it during this season.
Finally, it is said that Aaron’s rod that budded, was made from a branch from the almond tree. Yeshua (Jesus) is also known asTzemach Tzaddik (God’s Righteous Branch). Praise His Name forever.
The blooming branch of an Almond tree is so beautiful that the Lord decorated the Menorah with oil cups in the shape of almond blossoms (Exodus 25:33-34; 37:19-20).
The Menorah itself is a symbol of the ‘Tree of Life’ and therefore it is fitting to regard it during this season.
Finally, it is said that Aaron’s rod that budded, was made from a branch from the almond tree. Yeshua (Jesus) is also known asTzemach Tzaddik (God’s Righteous Branch). Praise His Name forever.
Trees and Redemption
Olive Grove in the Valley of Elah
Trees symbolise the revival of Israel’s land and the Jewish people’s bond with the land.
Through faith in Jesus our Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach) who died on the ‘tree’ to pay the price of Adam’s sin, we are redeemed through the shed blood of his sacrifice. We have the joyful expectation of the Messiah’s return and the Messianic Age in which nature will return to the condition of Eden and the Trees of the Field will clap their hands – indeed theTikkun Olam (healing the world) will have taken place when man is fully redeemed.
(Psalm 96; Micah 4:1-4; Romans 8:18-22).
By celebrating the presence of trees in our lives and by planting new ones, we are cooperating with the Lord in ‘tending the garden’ of the good earth.
Through faith in Jesus our Messiah (Yeshua HaMashiach) who died on the ‘tree’ to pay the price of Adam’s sin, we are redeemed through the shed blood of his sacrifice. We have the joyful expectation of the Messiah’s return and the Messianic Age in which nature will return to the condition of Eden and the Trees of the Field will clap their hands – indeed theTikkun Olam (healing the world) will have taken place when man is fully redeemed.
(Psalm 96; Micah 4:1-4; Romans 8:18-22).
By celebrating the presence of trees in our lives and by planting new ones, we are cooperating with the Lord in ‘tending the garden’ of the good earth.
For more in-depth information about the cycle of the Almond Tree please check out the following link:
http://www.righteousbranch.org/prodigy-of-the-almond-tree.html
http://www.righteousbranch.org/prodigy-of-the-almond-tree.html
"May it be Your will, Lord our God and God of our fathers, that you renew for us a good and fruitful year in our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.” Amen!