The Evolution of Tu BiShvat
“There are four New Years… On the first of Shevat is the New Year for the tree, according to Beit Shammai. Beit Hillel say it is on the fifteenth of Shevat” (Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 1:1).
Tu BiShvat has undergone four significant historical developments, all revolving around the connection between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel:
Tu BiShvat in Halacha – Land-Dependent Mitzvot
- Orlah – The Torah prohibits eating fruits from a tree during its first three years of planting, whether in Israel or abroad. The fruit’s halachic year is determined by Tu BiShvat, as stated by Beit Hillel in the Mishnah. That is, fruits that begin to bud after Tu BiShvat of the fourth year are no longer considered orlah and are permitted for consumption.
- Tithes (Terumot and Ma’aserot) – Fruits grown in Israel must have tithes separated. Fruits that bud after Tu BiShvat must be tithed separately from those that budded before. Additionally, the type of tithe varies by year (in some years, Ma’aser Sheni is given, while in others, Ma’aser Ani). Israeli produce sold abroad must also be tithed (without a blessing).
- Tu BiShvat is considered a joyous day, so Tachanun is omitted, and fasting is not observed.
The Tu BiShvat Seder
In the 17th century, the Kabbalists of Safed instituted the “Tu BiShvat Seder,” centered around eating fruits from the Land of Israel. The desire to eat specific fruits on Tu BiShvat, even when they were not in season, led to the practice of purchasing and drying fruits in advance. Additionally, Jewish communities outside of Israel that wished to eat Israeli fruits often had to rely on dried fruit, as fresh produce took a long time to arrive. These two factors contributed to the widespread custom of eating dried fruits on Tu BiShvat.
However, today, when fresh fruits from Israel are widely available, it is preferable to eat them rather than imported dried fruits.
The Tree-Planting Holiday
At the end of the 19th century, the Zionist movement began celebrating Tu BiShvat as “The Festival of Tree Planting,” dedicating the day to planting new trees in Israel.
A Day for Environmental Awareness
In recent decades, Tu BiShvat has become recognized as an ecological awareness day, a sort of “Nature Preservation Festival,” in line with God’s command to Adam:
“When the Holy One, Blessed be He, created the first man, He took him and led him around all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him: ‘See My works, how fine and excellent they are. All that I have created, I have created for you. Be mindful not to spoil and destroy My world, for if you do, there is no one after you to repair it.'” (Midrash Kohelet Rabbah 9)
A Historic Moment on Tu BiShvat
On Tu BiShvat 1949, the first Knesset of the State of Israel was inaugurated!
Halachic Notes for the Tu BiShvat Seder Order of Blessings
The order of blessings follows the “MaGa-Esh” acronym:
- Mezonot (grain-based food)
- Gefen (wine or grape juice)
- Etz (fruit of the tree)
- Adama (vegetables)
- Shehakol (miscellaneous foods and drinks)
At the beginning of the Seder, one should eat something requiring the Mezonot blessing, then recite the blessing over wine (Gefen), followed by fruits (Etz).
It is recommended to include a vegetable (Adama) and a food or drink requiring the Shehakol blessing to increase the number of blessings recited. Some also add blessings for fragrances (Borei Atzei Besamim, Borei Isvei Besamim, Borei Minei Besamim, or Hanoten Reiach Tov Bapeirot).
Order of Eating Fruits
The primary focus is on eating the Seven Species for which the Land of Israel is praised.
The order follows their placement relative to the word “Eretz” (land) in the verse:
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and springs and deep waters gushing out into valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, vines (3), fig trees (4), and pomegranates (5); a land of olive oil (1) and honey (=dates) (2)” (Deuteronomy 8:7-8).
Thus, the order of eating fruits is: Olive, Date, Grape, Fig, and Pomegranate.
After the Seven Species, one may eat additional fruits. Some have the custom of setting 30 different types of fruits on the table.
If a person eats a new seasonal fruit, they should recite the Shehecheyanu blessing:
“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this time.”
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