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Tu B’Shvat: A new year for the trees and for me

21st December, 2010 - Posted by admin - 163 Commentshttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.28by28.com%2F2010%2F12%2F21%2Ftu-bshvat-tree-planting%2FTu+B%27Shvat%3A+A+new+year+for+the+trees+and+for+me2010-12-21+08%3A27%3A38adminhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.28by28.com%2F%3Fp%3D16

Tu B’Shvat (the Jewish new year for trees) very appropriately falls out on my birthday this year. I can think of no better way to kick off the 28 challenge than by fulfilling my goal of planting a tree.

Just as I mainly made aliyah because I have always felt a strong attachment to being in this country (I blame early exposure and positive memories here for it), so too, I mainly made planting a tree a goal because I have always felt a strong connection to the land by planting a tree (also probably due to early exposure and positive memories). Also, since I’m not going to till the land or something similar, I might as well at least plant a tree or two and contribute that way.

The most meaningful part about it for me is that it will be on Tu B’shvat, which is associated with a revival of nature. It is the time of year in Israel when the fruits on trees begin to grow.  Since the Jewish National Fund was established in 1901, it has also become the most popular time of year to plant trees.

Throughout the Tanach man is compared to a tree. Rabbi Shraga Simmons has a beautiful dvar torah on the Aish website about how both trees and humans rely on the four elements (earth, water, air, fire) to survive. He basically says that earth lets humans and trees firmly establish their roots and get nourishment. Water is necessary for trees and humans so that they don’t wither/dehydrate and die. It is also compared to the Torah. Air is needed by trees for respiration and photosynthesis and by man for respiration and spiritual balance. Fire can be sunlight which a tree needs to activate photosynthesis and can provide warmth for humans, both physically and in the form of friendship and community.

This is one way I can look at the upcoming year. It is a renewal for me in many ways and it is also a time that I hope to reconnect to and make the most of these elements. Planting a tree reminds me that it’s not really life if you don’t have all four of these. In addition it connects me to the past, present, and future and lets me feel closest to the actual land of Israel.