Friday, January 29, 2010

What I like about Tu B'Shvat

Tu B'Shvat, the "holiday of the trees" is upon us. It' a nice little holiday, tucked between two biggies, Chanukah and Purim.

What I like about it is that you don't have to cook and clean like a maniac for it it has become a holiday very connected to the land of Israel. I just read in the Jerusalem Post this morning that when the first olim arrived back in the late 1800's, they realized that the country needed to be built and the land cultivated, because there was nothing here. They decided to take Tu B'shvat and connect it to the land of what would become Israel more than half a century later by planting trees. Indeed, it became mandatory for schools to take the children on outings to plant little saplings. Today we see great forests all over our country because of what these early settlers did, and the tree planting tradition continues on Tu B'Shvat and beyond.

There is a commercial on TV now running for Tu B'Shvat that has a beautiful song that I always enjoy hearing on the radio. It is a reminder that our land, and indeed, the entire planet is a gift from G-d, that we must not take for granted. Very appropriate for Tu B'Shvat and the whole year.



Wishing you all a great holiday, Shabbat Shalom and a peaceful weekend.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Baila, for sharing that beautiful song with us. We don't get that kind of inspirational music on the radio here in the Old Country. Thanks again from "I found you on Gila's blog".

Anonymous said...

Baila, did you know that there is a "Seder Tu Bishvat"? Complete with Seder Plate set with various fruits etc...a specific order to follow and special Tfilot to say. If I'd known you were interested - I would've sent you the specifics and you could've made your own Seder.
I don't know anyone in Chutz LaAretz who does this, only here in Israel. Another one of the perks!!!

bashful

Baila said...

Anon,

Thank you, I also think it's a beautiful song.

Bashful,

Could you identify yourself? Send me an e-mail, I don't know who you are.... ilab@aol.com

Unknown said...

Baila, this song is so beautiful, it makes me really homesick for Israel! Thanks for posting it.
Mara (in Texas)