[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img] Dateline Jerusalem — Israel is the only country in the world that went into the 21st century with more trees than it had 100 years ago. Chag Sameach – Happy Holiday! This week was the holiday of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for trees, sort of like an Arbor Day. Trees in Israel begin to bloom and the fruit-bearing season commences at this time. On Tu B’Shvat, trees are planted throughout the country. There are seders (yes, such a thing other than on Passover) where the seven species mentioned in the Torah as abundant in Israel are eaten. They are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. Actually, the grapes were referred to as vines and the dates as honey. Although there are bees here that make honey, the sweet sap that drips from dates ripening on date palm branches is the honey referred to in the Land of Milk and Honey in the Bible (Torah). Everyone exchanges recipes for dishes that include the seven species. Some are quite creative. There is also the custom of eating a new fruit on this day, something never eaten before, or not within the last year.

Although Tu B’Shvat is not specifically mentioned in the Torah (Tu B’Shvat means the 15th of the month of Shvat in the Hebrew calendar), it is in the Mishnah. It is considered the new year in order to calculate the age of trees for tithing, regardless of when in the year the tree was planted. Fruit from trees grown in the land of Israel is not to be eaten in the first three years of the life of the tree. They are not considered kosher during the first three years. The fourth year’s fruit is tithed to G-d. Then the fruit can be eaten. Wherever fruit is sold in Israel, a sign indicates whether the produce has been tithed already.

In addition to the seven species, almond and carob trees are found throughout Israel. In fact, the almond tree has become the symbol of Tu B’Shvat as almonds trees begin their flowering season now. Almonds and carobs are popular at Tu B'Shavat seders. Even if not partaking in a seder to celebrate the holiday, Israelis make a point of drinking wine and eating dried nuts and fruits or using them as ingredients in recipes. Other customs include giving friends and relatives and needy families gifts of dried nuts and fruits. It is easy to find and attend an agricultural festival on a kibbutz.

In biblical times, the land of Israel was lush. But when the Jews were exiled from Israel, the land reverted to an arid desert where hardly anything could grow. It remained a desolate area until the Jews were permitted to return to the land. According to biblical prophesy, after the destruction of the Holy Temple and exile of the Jews from the land, the Land of Milk and Honey would became a barren, scorched desert wasteland. It only would become a flourishing and fruitful agricultural oasis when the Jews returned to the land. Now this dry barren country is green and bountiful with fruits, vegetables, trees, flowers and farms. There are more than 2500 species of flora in Israel. Not bad for a desert country with little water.

A more modern reason for planting trees is to absorb carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and to fight global warming. Trees provide shelter and food for man and animal, nourish the soil, filter out greenhouse gases and acid rain, and they are a major source of oxygen pumped into the atmosphere. Israel hosts scientists from around the world in planting methods in dry conditions, in protection of forests, in drip-irrigation, desalinization and other exercises. Israel is one of the world’s leading countries with respect to protecting the environment. It is considered a green country with respect to ecology and the environment. More than 35 political parties are on the ballot in Israel. At least one of the parties is designated specifically for environmentalists. Not all parties have representation in the Knesset, but many parties in the Knesset have environmentalists within their ranks.

Happy new year for trees!

L'hitraot. Shachar.