A new law came into effect in Israel a few weeks ago. Every fruit and vegetable in the store is required to have a sign next to it to show which country it comes from. Unfortunately, the signs are often written in such small print that you might not even see them and you may need a magnifying glass to read them!

There are many reasons why we should buy Israeli produce:

1. It is important that we support Israeli farmers, especially during this difficult time.

2. The fruits grown locally are very fresh and were often just picked.

3. There are many mitzvot connected to fruits grown in the land and it is an honor to be able to observe them.

4. One of the customs of Tu B’Shevat is to eat the fruits of Israel and learn the agricultural laws connected to the Land.

5. When we say the blessing after eating the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Biblical Species of Israel- wheat, barley, grapes, pomegranate, olives and dates, the text is slightly different for fruits and wine from grapes that were grown in Israel.

Today, Israel grows way more than the original seven species.

How is Israel able to grow such a variety of fruits and vegetables today?

Israel is a very unique country with warm areas, cold areas, deserts and tropical climates. Since Otef Azza, “The Gaza Envelope” in the south is close to the sea, they are able to grow tropical fruits like pineapples and passion fruit. Ramat HaGolan, The Golna Heights in the north is a colder region in the winter, famous for apples which have a unique taste. Grapes are grown in the Arava region which is a desert valley which extends from the Dead Sea to Eilat. And the list goes on…

When Jews were living in cold climates, they were not able to get fresh fruit at this time of year so they ate dried fruit on Tu B’Shavat. That is why Tu B’Shvat seems to have become a holiday of dried fruit. However, now that we are back in Israel, there is no reason to eat dried fruit imported from other countries, especially when we have our own Israeli produce.

Some of the countries that Israel is importing dried and fresh fruits from are actually hostile towards Israel. Why would we want to eat their produce on a holiday that celebrates the fruits of Israel?

The next time that you go to the supermarket in Israel, bring your magnifying glass, read the signs and make sure that you are getting Israeli grown produce. If you aren’t happy with the selection, let the manager know. If they see that it is important to you and if enough customers point it out then we will already be on the road to a more prosperous agricultural industry in Israel and that is really what Tu B’Shvat is all about.

In the Talmud, Brachot 57a we learn about the significance of the Shivat HaMinim, the Seven Species of Israel, when they appear in our dreams:

Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said: One who sees wheat in a dream has seen peace, as it is stated: “He makes your borders peace; He gives you in plenty the fat of wheat” (Tehilim 147:14).

One who sees barley [se’orim] in a dream has received a sign that his iniquities are taken away, as it is stated: “And your iniquity is taken away [vesar avonekh], and your sin expiated” (Yishayahu 6:7); se’orim is an acronym for sar avon. Rabbi Zeira said: I did not ascend from Babylonia to Eretz Yisrael until I saw barley in my dream.

A vine laden with grapes in a dream is an omen that his wife will not miscarry, as it is stated: “Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house” (Tehilim 128:3). One who sees a planted vine branch in a dream should anticipate the Mashiach, as it is stated: “Binding his foal unto the vine and his donkey’s colt unto the vine branch” (Breisheet 49:11).

A fig tree in a dream is a sign that his Torah is preserved within him, as it is stated: “One who keeps the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof” (Tehilim 27:18).

Pomegranates in a dream: If they were small, his business will flourish like the seeds of the pomegranate, which are numerous. If they were large, his business will increase like a pomegranate. One who saw slices of pomegranates in his dream: If he is a Torah scholar, he should anticipate Torah, as it is stated: “I would cause you to drink of spiced wine, of the juice of my pomegranate” (Shir HaShirim 8:2), which is traditionally understood as an allusion to Torah. And if the dreamer is not learned, he should anticipate mitzvot, as it is stated: “Your temples are like a split pomegranate” (Shir HaShirim 4:3). What is the meaning of the word “Your temples [rakatekh]”? Even the most ignorant [reikanin] among you, Israel, are full of mitzvot like a pomegranate.

Olives in a dream: If they were small, it is a sign that his business will flourish, increase and be durable like olives. One who sees olive trees, it is a sign that he will have many children, as it is stated: “Your children like olive plants, round about your table” (Tehilim 128:3). Some say that it is a sign that a good reputation will spread for him, as it is stated: “The Lord called your name a leafy olive tree, fair with goodly fruit” (Yirmiyahu 11:16). One who sees olive oil in a dream should anticipate the light of Torah, as it is stated: “That they bring unto you pure olive oil beaten for the light” (Shmot 27:20).

One who sees palm trees [temarim] in a dream has seen a sign that his transgressions have ceased, as it is stated: “Your iniquity is finished, O daughter of Zion” (Eicha 4:22), as the Gemara likens temara, date, to tam ra, evil has ceased.

We see from here that dreams which include the Seven Species of Israel are omens of good luck. So enjoy your Tu B’Shvat fruits today and maybe you will dream about them tonight!

Tu B’Shavat Sameach and Shabbat Shalom from Yerushalayim

Yesterday, we celebrated Tu B’Shvat, the fifteenth day of the month of Shvat, the New Year of the Trees. Usually Tu B’Shvat is the day when the Israeli youth groups go out on field trips and plant trees. This year is a Shmita (Sabbatical) year where planting in the Land of Israel is forbidden so the children did not plant trees. However, the youth groups still found a way to plan Tu B’Shvat trips so that the children would have an opportunity to build a deeper connection to the Land of Israel as well as have an excuse to skip a day of school.

I was busy conducting a Tu B’Shvat seder, a tradition that was initiated by the Kabbalists in Tsfat in the 16^th century, for the elderly residents of Jerusalem. We ate the seven species of the Land of Israel and learned about their significance in the Tanach, Midrash and Talmud. We sampled fifteen types of fruits and nuts, drank grape and pomegranate juices and a guitarist led us in songs connected with nature. While driving home I listened to the top of the hour news on the radio and was surprised that some of the news stories related to Tu B’Shvat.

One piece of news was that the rabbis warned the nursery and kindergarten teachers to be careful while serving dried fruit as it is a choking hazard for kids under the age of five.

In other news the Bayit HaYehudi (Jewish Home) party was caught giving out dried fruit violating the election laws which state that campaigning “cannot be connected to giving out food and drink.”

When I had a chance to take a look at the Hebrew newspaper, Yediot Achronot I was surprised to see President Rubi Rivlin conducting the first Tu B’Shvat seder ever to take place at the president’s residence.

This year there were some interesting innovations that were introduced:

Ben & Jerry’s is producing a limited edition special flavor of ice cream in honor of Tu B’Shvat called To B Nuts made up of vanilla ice cream, different types of nuts and chocolate.

Community centers all over Israel have arranged activities and trips with a focus on appreciating nature, ecology and recycling as part of a series of environmental activities that have been taking place throughout the Shmita year.

It is clear that Tu B’Shvat is still very much celebrated even during a Shmita year.

The fact that it is a Shmita year actually makes us more agriculturally aware all year long as opposed to on just one day. On a daily basis, we are investigating how, where and when all of our fruits and vegetables were grown before we buy them. After we eat fruits and vegetables that have Kdushat Shviit (holiness of the seventh year), we must be careful how we dispose of the parts that are wasted as it would not be respectful to put them in the regular garbage can.

The Shmita year in some ways actually feels like a year long Tu B’Shvat. Now if we could only get Ben & Jerry’s to keep the Tu B’Shvat flavor all year long!

The first Mishna in Rosh HaShana teaches that there are four new years:

1^st of Nisan: The New Year for kings and festivals

1^st of Elul: The New Year for the tithe of animals

1^st of Tishrei: The New Year for Shmitin and Yovalot, for the planting of the vegetables

So far, three out of the four new years are on the first of the month.

What about the New Year for the trees?

Beit Shammai says: The1^st of Shvat

Beit Hillel says: The15^th of Shvat

As usual, we follow the ruling of Beit Hillel. However, what is the reason why we would celebrate a new year in the middle of the month?

According to the Meiri, the 15^th of Shvat is the median date between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox, since half of this period has already passed, the winter has abated and the cold has diminished and the formation of the fruits accelerates.

The Gemara in Bava Metzia 106b explains that there are actually six seasons:

1. The second half of Tishrei, Marcheshvan and the first half of Kislev is the planting season

2. The second half of Kislev, Tevet and the first half of Shvat is the winter season

3. The second half of Shvat, Adar and the first half of Nisan is the cold season

4. The second half of Nisan, Iyar and the first half of Sivan is the harvest season

5. The second half of Sivan, Tamuz and the first half of Av is the summer season

6. The second half of Av, Elul and the first half of Tishrei is the hot season

Tu B’Shvat (the 15^th of Shvat) therefore starts the beginning of the cold season. Celebrating on the first of Shvat doesn’t make sense since it is still the winter.

All of these seasons are based on the Land of Israel. Thank God we have had a lot of rain the last few weeks as the winter season is supposed to be the rainy season, the time that the bulk of the rain should fall.

This week, I had the opportunity to plant a tree in honor of Tu B’Shvat at the Tayelet in Talpiot, just a few blocks from my home, with over 1000 young women who are studying in Israel for the year. It was a very moving experience for each and every one of us to be able to be part of the holiday that connects nature and the Land of Israel.

This Shabbat we celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, also known as the birthday of the trees.

Tu B'Shvat is not only the birthday of the trees, it is a day set aside to appreciate nature, a day set aside to focus on how we can take better care of our environment.

Caring for the environment has become a trendy concept over the past few years. Secular society has even introduced their own holiday called "Earth Day".

The Midrash in Kohellet Raba 7:28 teaches us that caring for the environment is not a new concept. When God created the first man (Adam), He took him and had him pass before all of the trees in the Garden of Eden and said to him: "Do you see my handiwork, how fine and excellent they are! All that I created was created for you. Be careful not to ruin and destroy my world, for if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you."

Unfortunately, even in the beautiful streets of Jerusalem we see garbage strewn around.

There is a movement to keep Jerusalem clean and beautiful. Groups of students even spend their free time cleaning up garbage that was not properly disposed of. I applaud what these students are doing. However, we must raise awareness of the importance of protecting our environment. If we keep cleaning up after those who litter, they will not see a need to stop littering. I recently came across a booklet which listed different opportunities for recycling in Jerusalem. The list included food, clothing, computers, paper, batteries, books, bottles, cans, compost, boxes, tires and furniture.

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav used to say "Know that every shepherd has a unique niggun (tune) for each of the grasses and for each place where they herd. For each and every grass has its own song and from the song of the grasses the shepherds compose their songs."

Once Rav Kook was walking in the fields lost deep in thought. The young student with him plucked a leaf from a branch. Rav Kook was visibly shaken by this act. Rav Kook explained: "I never simply pluck a leaf or a blade of grass of any living thing unless I have to. Every part of the vegetable world is singing a song and breathing forth a secret of the divine mystery of creation."

This Tu B'Shvat lets all make an effort to make the world a cleaner, better place to live.