TU BISHVAT IN A NUTSHELL

We may not call them “New Years” but there are various annual cycles in the civil calendar also. For example, the academic year, the tax year, and sports seasons begin at various times during the year in different countries.

This festival was originally focused on the agricultural laws (which only apply when living in the land of Israel). After the exile began, these laws were no longer applicable for the majority of the people, and the festival had limited relevance. In order to continue to connect to both the festival and the land of Israel during the exile years, new meaning was found in the festival and new rituals were developed. A recent example of this is the reconnecting to trees and the land of Israel after the rise of Zionism and the establishment of the State of Israel.

In our generation, environmental awareness and conservation has become highly important and topical. This is a theme that connects naturally to Tu BiShvat and creates a new angle and relevance for us in the twenty-first century.

FROM THE THOUGHT OF RABBI SACKS

This is a very challenging question facing us, and finding the correct answer is more pressing than ever before. This is called environmentally sustainable development – where we continue to develop and use the natural resources of the earth for the betterment of humankind, but in an environmentally responsible way that allows our natural resources to regenerate, without causing permanent and long-term damage. To find the right balance, we (individuals and governments) must listen to the experts, including scientists, economists, and moral thinkers.

These three mitzvot force humans to take a step back from nature, ensuring they refrain from consuming and manipulating nature for a temporary period (one day in seven, or one year in seven, for example). This allows the earth’s resources to replenish, but also, crucially, there is an educational impact on those observing these laws, reminding us that we are not the sole masters of nature and of the earth’s natural resources. The universe belongs to its Creator, and we are tasked with maintaining it in a sustainable way in order to benefit from its resources without destroying them.

Shabbat gives us a weekly experience of spending a day taking stock and realising that there are boundaries that we cannot and should not cross. We are part of nature and not above it. When we recognise this, we can go into the week with a greater awareness of our duty to use the world’s resources in an environmentally responsible way, preserving and protecting them where necessary. The message of Shabbat should impact the way we consume, develop, and grow as individuals and as a species.

IT ONCE HAPPENED ON TU BISHVAT…

The boy became distracted by other things in his life. To some extent this is a natural phenomenon. As children grow up, the things that are important to them and take up their time and energy change. However, this is also a metaphor for how we sometimes lose sight of the beauty all around us in the natural world when we become distracted by other things in life that become our priorities, such as technology or our careers.

During the pandemic, so much was taken away from us. The outdoors and nature suddenly became more important to us than ever before, and our appreciation of nature became heightened. While we couldn’t go about our normal lives (school, work, shopping, etc.) we found ourselves heading outside to appreciate the natural world in a way we may not have done when we had more freedom but also more distractions.

During the early lockdowns around the world, there was no traffic on the roads, little air travel, dramatically less pollution in the air, less consumerism, and in general, the mad rush of life took a pause, as we began to appreciate the more important things in life, such as family, friends, and the environment. A silver lining from this challenging period would be if humanity learned this lesson and if we redrew our values and priorities with that in mind.

ḤIDON ON THE ḤAG (A QUICK QUIZ)

The Seven Species

Wheat – 6

Barley – 4

Grapes – 3

Figs – 1

Pomegranates – 7

Olives – 2

Dates – 5

Eight Trees Native to the Land of Israel

Terebinth – 7

Oak – 8

Cedar – 5

Tamarisk – 6

Cypress – 4

Sycamore – 2

Acacia – 1

Almond – 3