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CONGREGATION
MELECH YISRAEL OF TORONTO
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What is Tu
B'shvat?
February
13, 2006, 15 Shevat 5766 |
| Tu B'shvat - Fifteenth
day of the month of Shevat; a minor holiday known as the New Year of the Trees, observed
by planting trees. There are four new
years in the Jewish calendar.Beit Hillel and Beit
Shamai were divided on the issue of the date on which plants awaken from their winter
hibernation and start to feed on the rains of the new year. |
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"The first of Shvat is
the arbor new year", said Beit Shamai. "The fifteenth,"
responded the Beit Hillel. (The Mishna of Rosh Hashana,
A) It was the ruling of Beit Hillel that was finally
adopted. Nisan 1 is the New Year's
day of kings (the date for determining how many years a king has ruled) and for months
(Nisan is the first month). Elul 1 is the new year for the tithing of animals. Shevat 15
(Tu B'shvat) is the new year for the trees, and Tishrei 1 is the new year of years. It
also marks the anniversary of the creation of the world. |
We
at CMY |
| You can purchase a Tree @ $18.00 Buy
them in tribute of some one special, or a beloved departed. |
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Call us 416-785-7612 |
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It was once merely the
last date of the tax year for the produce of the tree. Any fruit ripening after Tu B'shvat
was to be assessed for tithing only for the following tax season. Today Tu B'shvat is
celebrated as the Birthday of the trees with a symbolic eating of fruits and with active
redemption of barren land by planting trees.
Tu B'Shvat is a time for the
family to get together and on Tu B'Shvat it is customary to partake generously of fruits,
and in particular, the species of fruit for which the Land of Israel is blessed -- wheat,
barley, grapes, pomegranates, figs, olives, and dates "
Rabbi Isaac Lurie and his
associates founded the Jewish center in Safed, they established the custom of eating fruit
on the 15th of Shvat, as a symbol of man's participation in the joy of the trees. This
custom soon spread amongst all the Jewish communities.
We hope that this year will be full with
blessings and meaning for you and your family !
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The blessing
for fruits that grow on trees is
"Blessed are You, Eternal
our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the trees."
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