Close your eyes and imagine being stranded on a deserted island. What would you need? If you were completely concerned with survival, you probably wouldn’t value your tchotchkes, pictures or other sentimental or materialistic items very much. Even your toothbrush, a basic necessity that I highly value, would seem relatively inconsequential. I am guessing your list of necessities would quickly change. Perhaps you would value consistent food sources, a way to make the water potable and protection from the elements.
Trees would most definitely be a necessity on this fictional island. Trees provide shade from a hot sun and protection from the elements. Even though we would all agree it’s not safe to stand under the tallest tree during a thunderstorm, trees are vital to our survival. Trees can be chopped up and used for firewood, climbed to get a better vantage point and even provide a safe haven from animals that cannot climb. If you were really lucky on this desert island, you might find a fruit-bearing tree to provide sustenance. And, even more important to the survival of the human race, trees play an important role in cleaning our air and releasing oxygen to allow us to breathe. Simply put, without trees, we would never survive. Given this, it is no wonder that Judaism provides an entire holiday to celebrate trees.
It is also no surprise that the Torah is referred to as the “tree of life.” Etz chaim hi…She is a tree of life to those that hold fast to her and all of her supporters are happy. (Proverbs 3:18) Like the trees that support our physical well being, Torah gives us spiritual nourishment, grounding us with strong roots so our soil doesn’t erode and allowing us to grow without limits. Since our Torah feeds our souls and is the spiritual air we breathe, it is no surprise that we celebrate Tu B’ Shevat, the birthday of the trees, in Judaism. Tu means fifteen, B’ means of and Shevat is the name of the month we are in.
Each year on Tu B’Shevat, celebrated on the 15th of Shevat, which falls this weekend, all the trees in the world become one year older. A tree planted today becomes one year old this weekend, whereas a tree planted next week will have to wait another 51 weeks before it “turns” one. Since no fruit can be used before the tree is three years old, this holiday is extremely practical when calculating the age of a tree before harvesting its fruit. There is no need to remember a tree’s particular birthday when all the trees have the same birthday.
Tu B’Shevat also ties us to the Promised Land, as we celebrate the seven species named in Deuteronomy for planting: dates, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, olives and grapes. Thanks to the Jewish National Fund, we can plant trees in Israel to perpetuate the strength of the Jewish nation. On my first trip to Israel, I found it fascinating to learn that Israel is number one in reforestation, an amazing accomplishment considering the size of the country.
Living in Sonoma County, most of us already have an appreciation for the beauty and usefulness of trees that others may not. Tu B’Shevat connects us to the land and reminds us that we must preserve and protect our environment. Just as we are prohibited from tithing fruit from trees before they are mature enough to handle our picking, so too should we protect our resources from being unscrupulously destroyed.
At Shomrei Torah, our comprehensive recycling project has made us leaders in the community. Many people look perplexed when they approach our garbage receptacles, but taking the extra time to figure out which can to use is important. In fact, extending this attention to the environment to our homes and our workplaces is as important to our survival here as it would be on a deserted island.
This year, to celebrate Tu B’Shevat, plant a tree, recycle more, study Torah and connect to Israel. Please join me on Saturday, January 26 at 3:00 pm to celebrate Tu B’Shevat at CST with learning activities and a ceremonial tree planting. There will be something for everyone!