Tonight Jews around the world celebrate Tu Bishvat - commonly explained as New Years for Trees. It's one of the lesser holidays and is often overlooked in more secular parts of the Jewish world. I like trees, so I like this holiday.
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In ancient times when the Temple in Jerusalem stood, Tu Bishvat was actually quite consequential for Jewish farmers. Fruit that ripened before Tu Bishvat was considered part of the previous year’s crop. Fruit that ripened after Tu Bishvat belonged to the new agricultural year.
Since the destruction of the Temple and the end of the ma'asrot (tithes) associated with a Temple-centric Judaism, Tu Bishvat, like other parts of Judaism, had to evolve.
Trees hold a lot of significance in Judaism. There is the famous Etz HaDaat (Tree of Knowledge) that Chava (Eve) ate from. There was the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life) that many shuls (synagogues) are named after. There are prohibitions against destroying fruit-bearing trees knowingly in times of war.
The Torah is often compared to a Tree. Just as a tree provides physical sustenance, the Torah provides spiritual sustenance. Just as a tree grows, so too do we grow by studying Torah.
Trees are a symbol of the Jewish view of time and wisdom.
In the Talmud a man planting a tree that did not bear fruit for 70 years was asked by another man why he would plant such a tree, whose fruit he will never enjoy.
"Just as my ancestors planted for me, I too am planting for my descendants."
Today many Jews, particularly Israelis, observe Tu Bishvat by planting trees and eating 7 fruits (Wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates) associated with eretz yisrael (the land of Israel). Some even hold a special seder for this day.
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In the Talmud a man planting a tree that did not bear fruit for 70 years was asked by another man why he would plant such a tree, whose fruit he will never enjoy.
"Just as my ancestors planted for me, I too am planting for my descendants."
My new observance is making donations to tree planting/rewilding organisations.