TU B’SHEVAT IN ISRAEL & OUR RESOURCES Tu B’Shevat is a holiday of nature and trees—and a holiday of Israel. In Israel it announces nature awakening from winter slumber—first to blossom is the Almond Tree, Hashkediya השקדייה ; different insects wake up and new birds arrive in Israel. Even though Tu B’Shevat is a post-biblical holiday, the Torah refers to the importance of nature many times and in many places. Leviticus 19, “When you enter the land and plant any tree for food…” וכי תבואו אל הארץ ונטאתם כל עץ מאכל Deuteronomy 8, “For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land... a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs and pomegranate a land of olive tree and honey...” כי ה' אלוהיך מביאך אל ארץ טובה... ארץ חיטה ושעורה וגפן ותאנה ורימון ארץ-זית שמן ודבש The Torah even gives us special instructions on how to treat trees. Deuteronomy 20, “When in your war against a city... you must not destroy its trees... you must not cut them down... are the trees of the field human to withdraw before you...” כי תצור אל עיר... לא תשחית את עצה... ואתה לא תכרת כי האדם עץ השדה לבא מפניך...   Resource Center Winter Hours Did you know the Resource Center has extended hours to meet your busy lifestyle? On Sundays, we are open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On Wednesdays through March 15, we are open until 7:30 p.m., and from March 22, we are open until 9 p.m. For updates on our hours, check out www.cjebaltimore.org, or call the front desk, 410-735-5000. Additional hours by appointment only. The fruits of Eretz Yisrael get special status, and therefore during the Tu B’Shevat holiday we eat from the special fruits that Israel is blessed with, the Seven Species- שבעת המינים mentioned in Deuteronomy 8 quoted above. One of the major customs associated with the holiday is tree planting. New trees are planted so they can start rooting and blossoming without suffering from winter frost or summer’s heat. Children in Israel go with their classmates to area forests with tree saplings, sing Tu B’Shevat songs and then plant their trees. Tradition calls for families to plant a tree in honor of a newborn baby. The tree is planted on Tu B’Shevat following the child’s birth, cedar for a baby boy, cypress for a baby girl. In some families they would use the wood from these trees to make a chuppah – a wedding canopy, for their child’s marriage. Another “interesting tidbit: the first Knesset (Israeli Parliament) assembly took place on the 14th of February, 1949 also Tu B’Shevat 5709. Ever since, the Knesset celebrates it’s "birthday" on Tu B’Shevat every year. The Resource Center and HaKerem have many wonderful items for your family and your school to mark the “birthday of the trees.” Here is a sampling of what we have to offer: Early Readers Solomon and the Trees by Matt Biers-Ariel Tells the story of King Solomon and the origins of Tu B’Shevat, a holiday that is celebrated by the planting of trees. Something Different by Rachel Konigsberg When a plum tree starts growing in an orange grove it is ridiculed until the farmer shows the other trees that different is not deficient. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein A parable for readers of all ages that offers an interpretation of the gift of giving and accepting love in return. Book is available in English and Hebrew and comes with a set of 12 picture cards based on the story. The Never-Ending Greenness by Neil Waldman When his family comes to live in Israel after the end of World War II, a young boy begins planting and caring for trees, a practice that spreads across the whole country.   Teachers Resources Landscape Nature and Man in the Bible by Menashe Har-El This book explores the relationship between man and nature, the demands of the land of its inhabitants even as man shaped the land to his needs. Desert Shepherd in Our Biblical Heritage by Nogah Hareuveni The book puts the reader in touch with Israel’s ecology and landscape in order to understand the wellsprings of the bible. The Emblem of the State of Israel by Nogah Hareuveni Visit the Hill of the Menorah at Neot Kedumim. The book describes the roots in nature of the emblem (menorah) of the State of Israel. Discovering Natural Israel by Michal Strutin Exploring the beauty, natural resources and geography of Israel, from the Coral Reefs of Elat to the Emerald Crown of Mount Carmel.   For a complete listing of all our Tu B’Shevat resources, please go to our Web site www.cjebaltimore.org, click on the ATHENA icon and search by typing “Tu B’Shevat.” Close this article