Tu B’Shvat

Tu B’Shvat and פרשת בשלח always come together. Also seems appropriate that this Shabbat is known as שבת שירה, because אז ישיר is read in the Torah. There is joy and song in celebrating Tu B’Shvat.

The joy comes in acknowledging the fruits of ארץ ישראל. It is not only a happy time when we are able to partake of the fruit of the Land. But it represents a return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland.

The prophets tell us and it has been proven by history, that this land would not produce for any other nation than the Jewish people. There was a special bond between the people and the land. A clear Messianic sign is that the desolate, abandoned land will again flourish, when עם ישראל comes home.

This little holiday of Tu B’Shvat, celebrates the coming home of our people. We are again observing the laws of תרומות and מעשרות. Those trees that have budded by this day are labeled as fruits of the sixth year. And those that have not yet budded as of טו בשבט, will already be considered the fruits of the seventh sabbatical year, known as שמיטה.

It is nice to have a little pause of celebration during this dark winter. And what it also means, is that Purim is only a month away, and Pesach is two months away. We have to hang in there as better times are ahead.