Originally, Tu B’shvat — Hebrew for the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat — was designated as the time when tree owners would offer tithes from the fruit trees of Israel. Its earliest source refers to it as the New Year of the Trees.
Later mystics attributed spiritual significance to this phrase, and a special ceremony modeled after the Passover Seder evolved. Traditionally, the Tu B’shvat seder includes the seven biblical species that are connected with the land of Israel, and, like the Passover Seder, it is structured around four cups of wine. Each section deals with four different types of worlds exemplified by the seven species. There is the world of action, the world of formation, the world of creation, and the world of transcendence.
More recently, the Seders have included a particular sensitivity to the environment, and Tu B’shvat has often been referred to as an eco-Zionist holiday.
Introduction written for Religion News Service by Rabbi Avi Weinstein, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, Overland Park, Kan.
Click on any photo below to view slideshow. Religion News Service photos by Sally Morrow
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Left to right, David Liebschutz, Joel Gutovitz, Brynn Shaffer and Anna Kaseff study and celebrate the Tu B’Shvat holiday during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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David Liebschutz wears a kippah while studying the Tu B’Shvat holiday during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Center, Ricardo Zepada reads a Hebrew prayer about Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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An Israeli and American flag hang in the classroom while juniors and seniors study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Alex Sher pours white grape juice, used in place of white wine, for her peers while they study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Left to right, Max Sosland, Shani Soloman and Sophia Porter study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Left to right, Lindsey Paul, Shani Soloman, Alex Sher and Anna Kaseff dance in a circle after a Seder to study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Juniors and seniors dance in a circle after a Seder to study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Juniors and seniors dance in a circle after a Seder to study and celebrate Tu B’Shvat during a Hebrew class at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Ricardo Zepeda dances with other students after a Tu B’Shvat Seder during a Hebrew class for juniors and seniors at Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy in Overland Park, Kan., on Wednesday (Jan. 15, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Students’ freshly planted parsley and marigold seeds are lined up on a table during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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A student finger-paints a tree in summer during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Teacher Susie Blackman explains how to plant seeds to students during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Teacher Susie Blackman passes out marigold seeds to students during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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A student holds marigold seeds before planting them during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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A student plants marigold seeds in dirt during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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A student learns how to plant marigold and parsley seeds during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Students’ freshly planted marigold and parsley seeds sit on a table during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Children study tree bark under microscopes during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow
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Teacher Susie Blackman explains the meaning of eating fruits like tangerines during a Tu B’Shvat celebration at Congregation Beth Shalom preschool in Overland Park, Kan., on Thursday (Jan. 16, 2014). RNS photo by Sally Morrow