Tu B’shevat occurs on the full moon on the 15th of the month of Shevat. Date corresponds to the evening of 5 February 2023.

The holiday is a celebration of the trees, in fact, it is called the new year of the trees of which Judaism has many new years. In the middle east it is spring time and the plants and trees are showing signs of growth. A special way to celebrate. This holiday is to take a walk through your own garden, space and see what needs tending. This might mean it’s time to plant new fruit trees, or prune branches before the buds form. Or maybe it’s time to go through your seed packet collection and see what to plant this coming year. Since last year we were on a sh’mita year ( a year of no planting) it is now time to grow again. There are some wonderful miniature greenhouse growers that I see in many homes. Perhaps that’s as much gardening as you can do this year and I highly encourage you to plant a few lettuces and or spices. Planting is a great way for us to reconnect and understand of the purpose of life.

Happy holiday/ Chag Sameach
Rabbi Chavah Carp