Tu Bishvat

What trees can teach about relationships

For Jewish families, caring for the environment could be part of a wider consciousness of living in a world that is a divine gift.

In ancient times there were four new years on the Jewish calendar.

Explaining to grandchildren Jewish environmental action

Finding new meaning in tree planting

Evil in the world is symbolized by fruit at the seder.

For Jewish mystics, nature is a sacred text.

In Jewish mystical thought, the Tu Bishvat seder became a time to atone for sexual impropriety by blessing, eating and meditating on the symbolism of fruit.

Lessons from the Torah

The Biblical law protecting fruit trees during war provides an opportunity for Jewish exegetes to reflect on ecology and the wanton destruction of life.

Trees were viewed in both economic and symbolic terms by the rabbis of talmudic times.