Paying trees a tribute

DVORA WAYSMAN

We are instructed in Tosefta Berachot 7:4, “When you see handsome people or fine trees, pronounce the benediction: ‘Praised be He who created beautiful things.’” Trees have a great significance in Judaism and, long before “ecology” became a popular word, Jews were commanded: “When you besiege a city ... destroy not its trees.” (Deuteronomy 20:19)

Reverence for the beauty and dignity of trees is understandable, but a new year for trees? Yes, the 15th of Shevat, known as Tu b’Shevat, once fulfilled a great function in Israel’s agricultural life. It marked the date from which to count the age of the tree for reasons of tithe, and to indicate the maturation of the fruit of the tree. Even today, fruit cannot be eaten until the fourth year, and Tu b’Shevat standardizes the birthday of the trees.

Outside of Israel, it may be thought of as a very minor and unimportant holiday. It doesn’t commemorate any great historical event and there are no special prayers in the synagogue. Yet it has stood the test of time and is once again significant in Israel, where Jews have returned to the soil. From Tu b’Shevat onward, the sun’s strength increases, there are more daylight hours as the dry season approaches. It is a lovely time, ushered in by blossoming white almond trees with their promise of warm summer weather.

Tu b’Shevat is traditionally a time for planting every variety of trees. The Talmud mentions “the joyous planting,” which used to take place on happy occasions. There was a delightful custom of planting a cedar when a boy was born and a cypress sapling at the birth of a girl. When they married, the wood of the trees would be used as poles to support the wedding canopy.

In Israel, on Tu b’Shevat, children go with their teachers into the hills and valleys and plant tens of thousands of saplings. There is also a custom to eat 15 different kinds of fruit, such as olives, dates, grapes, figs, citrus, apples, bananas, nuts, pears and so on ... all of which grow in great abundance in Israel.

We are told that, on Tu b’Shevat, the trees are judged – which ones will thrive and be healthy, which ones will wither and die. Chassidic Jews traditionally pray on this day for the etrogim, that they may grow in beauty and perfection for Sukkot. On the eve of Tu b’Shevat, Sephardi Jews in Jerusalem have special gatherings that last all night. They read portions of the Torah, the Mishnah, Gemara and Zohar that refer to Israel’s agricultural life. These include the story of how trees and plants were created (Genesis 1:11-18), the promise of abundance as a reward for keeping Divine commandments (Leviticus 26:3-18 and Deuteronomy 8:1-10) and Ezekiel’s parable of the spreading vine, which symbolizes the people of Israel. They also recite Psalms that sing of the spring blossoming of the earth.

Many years ago, there was a well-known song that proclaimed, “Poems are made by fools like me ... but only G-d can make a tree.” We have many sayings in our Jewish tradition, including, “When G-d is with you, each tree will bear you fruit” (Isaac ben Samuel of Acre) and “For the tree ... is the supreme wonder and creator and the forest is only a mirage.” (Shmarya Levin, The Arena, 1932) Judaism has the greatest respect and reverence for all of G-d’s creations and the tree is one of the most beautiful. We are enjoined: “When you come into the land, you shall plant all manner of trees.”

There is no feeling to compare with the thrill of digging a hole and, with your own hands, gently placing the roots of a tree into the holy soil of eretz Israel. Planting trees on Tu b’Shevat also reminds us that we have an obligation to those who will come after us.

Dvora Waysman is the author of 11 books, including The Pomegranate Pendant, now a movie titled The Golden Pomegranate. She can be contacted at [email protected].

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