TU BI-SHEVAT - THE
NEW YEAR OF THE TREES
Have we the spiritual fruits?
Tu bi-Shevat is the New Year of the fruit trees. It is necessary for separation of the tithes. "These tithes differ from year to year in the seven-year Shemittah cycle; the point at which a budding fruit is considered to belong to the next year of the cycle is the 15th of Shevat." (http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3264/jewish/Tu-BShevat.htm)
"Tu Bishvat (Hebrew: ט״ו בשבט) is a minor Jewish holiday in the Hebrew month of Shevat, usually sometime in late January or early February, that marks the "New Year of the Trees"… Tu Bishvat is one of four "New Years"… Customs include planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts, especially figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds. In Israel, the flowering of the almond tree, which grows wild around the country, coincides with Tu Bishvat."
"The name Tu Bishvat is derived from the Hebrew date of the holiday, which occurs on the 15th day of Shvat (שבט)." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_Bishvat)
"Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for Trees, comes during a dry spell for holidays. The spiritual high of the High Holidays has waned, and the feverish preparations for Pesach will not begin (for most people, anyway) for some time. It is a perfect time to concentrate on the lesson of the tree, and to remember that now is not just time for physical planting, but the time to sow some spiritual seeds as well." (Planting the Seeds of Eternity http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/tubshvat/vol5no16.html)
Bible compares the man with a
tree.
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth
in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in Torah (the law) of the LORD; and in His Torah (law)
doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth
forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever
he doeth shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3)
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree
bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring
forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy
name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that
work iniquity. (Matthew 7:17-23)
HAVE WE THE SPIRITUAL FRUITS?