The Movement for Reform Judaism

The holiday is observed on the fifteenth of Shevat (Tu is an acronym for the Hebrew letters 'Tet' and 'Vav' which also signify the number 15.)

Scholars believe that Tu B' Shevat was originally an agricultural festival, marking the emergence of spring.

After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE this holiday was a way for Jews to symbolically bind themselves to their former homeland by eating foods that could be found in Israel.

In the sixteenth and seventeenth century Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu B'Shevat similar to the Passover seder.

Today, Tu B'Shevat has also become a tree planting festival, in which both Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of a loved one or friend, or more generally to mark an acknowledgement of sustainable development.

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link incorrect
written by DKahnHarris , January 04, 2008

The link above to Alyth's Quick Guide to Tu B'Shevat takes you instead to Alyth's Quick Guide to Chanukah. Please could you correct this error.

Many thanks.

link incorrect
written by Simon , January 04, 2008

The link has now been corrected. Many thanks for letting us know.

Simon
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