Tu Bishvat

Tu Bishvat History

Tu Bishvat (Hebrew: ט״ו בשבט, literally: the 15th of the Lunar Month of Shevat) is the New Year for trees (similar to Arbor Day). It falls in January or February each year, typically when almond blossom is seen in Israel. It is one of the four New Years in the Jewish Calendar.

According to the Jewish Law (Halachah), the 'New Year for trees' defines the beginning of the year for separating tithes for the poor and Levite. Tithes are 10% portions of a product, which are allocated as charity to either the Levites or the poor. Torah Law requires, that when the Holy Temple was standing, these tithes would be removed from the produce, before it was 'fit for consumption'. There was a seven year cycle, culminating in the Shmittah year, when fields lay fallow. After every seven year cycles, a Jubilee, 50th year was celebrated. Date shown reflects the main observance day. This observance begins at sundown on the day before.

Top 10 Facts for Tu Bishvat in 2026

• The holiday, often referred to by the theme New Year of the Trees, has evolved from an ancient tax deadline for tithing fruit into a modern Ecological Awareness Day that emphasizes the Jewish value of Stewardship of the Earth.
• Participants often conduct a specialized ritual modeled after the Passover meal known as the Tu Bishvat Seder, which was originally popularized by 16th-century mystics in the city of Safed.
• During this seder, it is customary to drink four cups of wine that transition from white to deep red, a symbolic representation of the natural progression from the icy pale of winter to the vibrant bloom of spring and summer.
• A central tradition involves eating the Seven Species mentioned in the Bible—wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates—which are celebrated as the foundational produce of the landscape.
• The 18th-century work Pri Etz Hadar, or Fruit of the Goodly Tree, serves as the first published liturgy for the holiday and provides the spiritual framework for many of the blessings recited over fruit today.
• One of the most famous stories shared during this time is Honi the Circle Maker, a Talmudic tale about a man who discovers that planting a carob tree is an act of selfless devotion to future generations who will eventually benefit from its shade and fruit.
• In the Bene Israel community of India, the celebration is marked by the preparation of a unique dish called malida, which features flattened rice mixed with coconut, sugar, and various dried fruits offered on a decorative platter.
• Beyond individual rituals, the holiday has become a major event for global reforestation efforts, largely supported by organizations like the Jewish National Fund, which facilitates tree-planting ceremonies for people around the world.
• The name of the observance itself is a linguistic and mathematical puzzle; the letters tet and vav are used to represent the number 15 in Hebrew gematria, signifying the holiday’s occurrence on the 15th day of the month.
• Modern observers frequently use the theme of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world, to frame the holiday as a time for environmental activism, climate change education, and sustainable living workshops.

In the News and Trending in the US for Tu Bishvat

Top things to do in the US for Tu Bishvat

• Say Blessings for new Fruit. Two blessings are said for new fruits (which have not yet been eaten that year), namely the standard blessing for fruits ..Who created the fruits of the tree and ..Who kept us alive, and sustained us and allowed us to reach this day.
• Attend a Tu Bishvat tisch which is popular in Hasidic communities. A Tisch is the Yiddish word for table. It refers to a festive meal with Holy Land fruits, wine, bread, fish and other foods.
• Make a Tu Bishvat Fruit Plate. Magen Avraham, a leading Jewish authority suggested the eating of fifteen kinds of fruit (on the fifteenth of the month).
• Sing a Tu Bishvat Song. There are many songs on YouTube about Tu Bishvat in both Hebrew and English.