Tu Bishvat/Tu B'Shevat

Tu Bishvat: The Jewish New Year for Trees in the United States

Tu Bishvat, often referred to as the "Jewish Earth Day," is a unique and spiritually rich holiday that celebrates the natural world, specifically the life-giving power of trees. While it began thousands of years ago as a practical date for agricultural tithing in ancient Israel, it has blossomed into a multifaceted celebration of ecology, Jewish identity, and global sustainability. In the United States, where the Jewish diaspora is large and diverse, Tu Bishvat serves as a vital bridge between ancient tradition and modern environmental activism.

The essence of Tu Bishvat lies in the recognition of our connection to the earth. In Jewish thought, "man is like a tree of the field," a metaphor suggesting that humans, like trees, require deep roots, a strong trunk of values, and the ability to produce "fruit" that benefits others. This holiday is not just about the biology of plants; it is about the spiritual growth of the individual and the collective responsibility to protect the planet. It is a day of gratitude for the sustenance provided by nature and a call to action to preserve it for future generations.

What makes this holiday particularly special in the American context is its evolution. For many American Jews, Tu Bishvat is a time to reflect on the relationship between the Land of Israel and the local environment in the United States. It is a day where religious school children plant parsley seeds in classrooms, families host elaborate fruit-based dinners, and environmental organizations advocate for climate justice. It is a quiet yet profound celebration that turns our attention away from the concrete of the city and toward the budding branches of the forest.

When is Tu Bishvat in 2026?

Tu Bishvat is observed on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. Because the Jewish calendar is lunisolar, the date fluctuates on the Gregorian calendar used in the United States.

In 2026, the holiday will be observed on:

Day of the Week: Monday Date: February 2, 2026 Countdown: There are 30 days remaining until the celebration begins.

It is important to note that according to the Jewish tradition, the day begins at sunset. Therefore, the holiday actually commences on the evening of Sunday, February 1, 2026, and continues through the following day, Monday, February 2. This "evening-first" timing is rooted in the creation story in Genesis, which states, "And there was evening and there was morning, one day."

The date of Tu Bishvat is variable rather than fixed. While it always occurs on the 15th of Shevat, that Hebrew date moves across late January and early February on the American calendar. This timing is significant because, in Israel, this is the period when the earliest-blooming trees—specifically the almond trees—begin to wake from their winter slumber, signaling the approach of spring even while the weather remains cool.

Historical and Religious Origins

The origins of Tu Bishvat are found in the Mishnah, the first major written collection of Jewish oral traditions. The text identifies four "New Years" in the Jewish calendar. While the first of Tishrei (Rosh Hashanah) is the New Year for the calendar year and the first of Nisan is the New Year for kings and festivals, the 15th of Shevat was established as the "New Year for Trees."

The Agricultural Purpose

Originally, Tu Bishvat was not a religious festival in the way we think of it today. It was a tax deadline. In ancient Israel, Jewish law required farmers to tithe their produce—giving a portion of their harvest to the priests, the poor, and the Temple. However, the Torah forbids eating the fruit of a tree for the first three years of its life (a law known as Orlah). To calculate a tree’s age and determine which year’s tithes the fruit belonged to, a "cutoff" date was needed. The rabbis chose the 15th of Shevat because, by that time, most of the winter rains have fallen in Israel, and the sap begins to rise in the trees, marking the start of a new fruit-bearing cycle.

The Kabbalistic Transformation

After the Jewish people were exiled from the Land of Israel, the holiday’s practical agricultural function was lost, but its symbolic meaning grew. In the 16th century, the mystics (Kabbalists) of Safed, Israel, reimagined the holiday. They believed that by eating specific fruits and reciting specific prayers, they could release "holy sparks" trapped in the physical world and bring the world closer to spiritual perfection. They created the Tu Bishvat Seder, modeled after the Passover Seder, which transformed the day into a ritualistic celebration of the "Tree of Life."

The Zionist and Ecological Movement

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as the Zionist movement sought to re-establish a Jewish homeland, Tu Bishvat took on a nationalistic and pioneering character. The Jewish National Fund (JNF) began using the holiday as a day for mass tree-planting to reforest the arid landscapes of Israel. In the United States, this resulted in the iconic "Blue Boxes" found in Jewish homes and schools, where children would collect coins to "buy a tree" in Israel. In the late 20th century, this evolved further into a general environmental holiday, aligning with the rise of the modern ecological movement.

How People Celebrate in the United States

In the United States, Tu Bishvat is celebrated through a blend of ancient ritual and modern environmentalism. Because the climate in much of the U.S. in February is still very much winter (unlike the Mediterranean climate of Israel), American Jews often have to get creative with their celebrations.

The Tu Bishvat Seder

A central tradition is the Seder, a ceremonial meal. During this Seder, participants drink four cups of wine or grape juice, ranging from white (representing winter) to white with a splash of red, then red with a splash of white, and finally deep red (representing the full bloom of summer).

Participants eat various fruits and nuts, often categorized into three types:

1. Fruits with a hard shell and soft interior: (e.g., walnuts, almonds, pomegranates). The shell represents protection or the "tough exterior" people sometimes wear.
2. Fruits with a soft exterior and a hard pit: (e.g., olives, dates, peaches). The pit represents the "inner strength" or the heart.
3. Fruits that are soft throughout: (e.g., figs, grapes, berries). These represent a state of total openness and holiness.

Eating the "Seven Species"

It is customary to eat the Shivat HaMinim, or the Seven Species of produce mentioned in the Torah as being abundant in the Land of Israel: Wheat (often eaten as bread or crackers) Barley (soups or stews) Grapes (wine or fresh fruit) Figs Pomegranates Olives Dates (or date honey)

In many American households, this has expanded to include "exotic" fruits that participants haven't tasted yet that year, allowing them to say the Shehecheyanu blessing—a prayer of gratitude for reaching a new and special occasion.

Tree Planting and Reforestation

While it may be too cold to plant a tree in the ground in New York, Chicago, or Boston in February, many Americans celebrate by donating to the Jewish National Fund or other environmental organizations to plant trees in Israel or in American national forests. In warmer American climates like California, Florida, or Arizona, actual tree-planting ceremonies at synagogues and Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) are common.

Environmental Education

In the U.S., Tu Bishvat has become a major "Green" holiday. Jewish day schools and Hebrew schools use the day to teach students about recycling, composting, and the Jewish concept of Bal Tashchit (the prohibition against needless destruction). Many synagogues host "Green Sabbaths" or guest speakers who discuss climate change and conservation.

Traditions and Customs

Beyond the Seder and planting, several other customs define Tu Bishvat:

The Carob Tradition: For many American Jews of a certain generation, Tu Bishvat is synonymous with dried carob. Because fresh Israeli fruit was hard to transport to the U.S. in the early 20th century, dried carob (known as Boxer in Yiddish) became the standard treat. While perhaps an acquired taste, it remains a nostalgic staple of the holiday. Prayers for the Trees: Some people recite specific Psalms (such as Psalm 104) that praise the wonders of creation. There is also a tradition of praying for a beautiful etrog (citron) for the following fall festival of Sukkot. Nature Hikes: In communities where the weather permits, groups often organize nature walks or hikes to appreciate local flora, even if the trees are currently dormant. Sustainable Meals: Many communities host "farm-to-table" dinners that emphasize local, organic, and vegetarian foods, reflecting the holiday’s focus on the earth's bounty.

Practical Information for the United States

If you are planning to observe Tu Bishvat or are interacting with those who do, here are some practical things to keep in mind:

1. Food Preparation: If you are hosting a Seder, you can find the "Seven Species" at most major American grocery stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or local farmers' markets. Dried fruits are a popular and easy way to fulfill the tradition of eating many types of fruit.
2. Community Events: Check the calendars of local JCCs or synagogues. Many offer communal Seders that are open to the public, regardless of their level of religious observance.
3. Educational Resources: Numerous Jewish environmental organizations, such as Hazon or Dayenu, provide downloadable "Haggadot" (guidebooks) for the Tu Bishvat Seder that focus on modern environmental themes.

Is Tu Bishvat a Public Holiday?

In the United States, Tu Bishvat is not a federal or state public holiday.

Government and Business: Federal and state government offices, post offices, banks, and private businesses remain open. Public transportation follows its normal schedule. Schools: Public schools are open. However, in areas with large Jewish populations, some students may take a religious observance day off, and Jewish private schools (Day Schools) may have special programming or a modified schedule. Retail: All stores and shopping malls operate with regular hours. Workplace: For most employees, it is a standard working day. However, Jewish employees may choose to leave work early on the eve of the holiday to attend a Seder or take the day off for religious reflection. Under U.S. law, employers are generally required to provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices, provided it does not cause "undue hardship."

While it lacks the "day off" status of major American holidays, its lack of commercialization is often seen as a benefit by those who celebrate it. It remains a focused, meaningful day of connection to the natural world.

Tu Bishvat serves as a poignant reminder that even in the depths of winter, the "sap is rising"—life is renewing itself just beneath the surface. In the United States, it is a day to honor the ancient roots of the Jewish people while branching out to meet the ecological challenges of the modern world. Whether through a bite of a pomegranate, a donation to a forest, or a conversation about sustainability, Tu Bishvat offers a moment of profound gratitude for the trees that sustain our lives.