Tu B’Shvat: Jews mark New Year for Trees; pontiff marks 50th of Nostra Aetate

SUNSET SUNDAY, JANUARY 24: It’s a New Year for Trees!

On the 15th day of the month of Shevat, Jews observe Tu Bishvat—an ancient commemoration of the start of the agricultural year—and, in 2016, that day begins on the evening of January 24. (Note that holiday spellings may vary.)

The Jewish calendar has four New Years, and in centuries past, farmers would mark the age of their trees in order to calculate their eligibility for fruit harvest and tithing. According to Leviticus 19:23-25, a tree’s fruit may only be eaten after its fifth year: in the first three years the fruit is forbidden, and in the fourth year, the fruit must be set apart for God. When the State of Israel was reestablished, in 1948, interest in the ancient festival surged. Jewish people were farmers, once again, and the fruits of the land of Israel were celebrated.

Today, the TuBishvat seder is observed in many Jewish households and synagogues. Many partake in the fruits and nuts of Israel, while reflecting on the need for sustainable agriculture. It is recognized that man depends upon the fruits of agriculture.

POPE FRANCIS MAKES LANDMARK VISIT TO JEWS IN ROME

Pope Francis’s recent visit to Rome’s Great Synagogue made him the third pontiff in history to visit the building—and, this time, at the 50th anniversary of the Vatican’s Nostra Aetate. (Read more at Haaretz.com.) Last month, the Vatican released a document to mark the milestone anniversary of Nostra Aetate, with a text restating how Christianity is rooted in Judaism and emphasizing that the Church should not try to convert Jews. Pope Francis, who maintained a close relationship with the Jewish community during his time as archbishop of Buenos Aires, is aiming to convey a message of coexistence and mutual respect.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Tell Us What You Think