Celebrating the 15th of Shebat

Tu Bishbat (ט”ו בשבט), i.e., the 15th of the month of Shebat, is the “New Year of Trees” (Rosh Hashana laIlanot). On the 15th of Shebat, trees become one year older, which is a crucial factor for many mitsvot related to agriculture. For example, Orla (ערלה)—the prohibition against eating the fruits of a new tree during its first three years. The age of a tree does not increase based on the day it was planted (its “birthday”). Instead, all trees become halakhically “a year older” on the 15th of Shebat.

In the Tora or the Mishna, there is no mention of celebrating the 15th of Shebat. This day is not considered a holiday or the commemoration of a historic event, nor does the Tora prescribe any prohibitions or ritual ceremonies for this day. However, an ancient custom is to have a se’uda (a meal or a plate of fruits) to remember the fruits and trees of the Land of Israel.

There are no precise instructions on how to conduct this se’uda. In many communities, it is customary to eat both at night and/or during the day, partaking in various fruits, especially the seven species for which the Land of Israel was praised in the Tora:
“A land of wheat and barley, grapes, figs and pomegranates, a land of olives and honey (= dates)” (Deuteronomy 8:8).

During the Seder of Tu Bishbat, we recite the berakhot, particularly Ha’ets for fruits of the tree, as well as the appropriate blessings for foods made from wheat or barley (usually Mezonot), among others. Each berakha is followed by a short prayer, “Yehi ratson…”

Many consider it a special zekhut to eat at this Seder fruits that grew in the Land of Israel, saying a berakha for them.

The Jews of Aleppo, Syria, had a unique custom for Tu Bishbat. On this day, they would read the Ten Commandments along with the Sharah, the Arabic translation composed by Rabbi Sa’adia Gaon (882-942). This was done in preparation for the reading of Parashat Yitro, which contains the Aseret Hadibberot (Ten Commandments) and always falls on the Shabbat after Tu Bishbat.

In 1890, a new custom was introduced in Israel to celebrate Tu Bishbat. That year, Rabbi Zeev Yaabetz (1847-1924) took his students to plant trees in Zichron Yaaqov as part of the Tu Bishbat celebration. This tradition was later adopted in 1908 by the Histadrut (the Jewish teachers’ union) and subsequently by the Jewish National Fund (Keren Kayemet leIsrael).

No special prayers are added to the regular services during TU BISHBAT. Tahanun, however, is not recited in TU BISHBAT.