Tu B'Shvat: A Jewish Earth Day
This reflection was written by Myrtle Lewin, an active congregant of Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Atlanta.
The name Tu B’Shvat means the fifteenth of the Jewish month of Shvat. It became a special day because of a commandment in the Torah that instructed Jewish farmers to contribute 10% of the fruit from their orchards to the temple, to help support the priesthood. But when did growth start? Which fruit counted? They decided that the date that trees began to flower would be considered the new year, and settled on the 15th of the month of Shvat. This falls in late January to early February each year.Today, many celebrate the holiday of Tu B’Shvat as a Jewish Earth Day: planting trees, eating fruits, and taking time to consider our connection to the land. Atlanta is blessed with good planting weather in January/February, and for several years, Trees Atlanta has partnered with several groups in the Jewish community to hold a special Sunday planting. On February 12, 2017, about 120 people (adults, kids, families, synagogue groups, and Hillel students) gathered at the Carter Center. While working, participants were asked to consider these questions:
- What is my relationship with the land and place that I live in? How do I affect it and how does it affect me?
- How can I work to be a steward of the land for future generations, through the food I eat, the way I get from place to place, and the way I live?
Collectively, 81 trees were planted along Freedom Parkway, building community by working with people who might never otherwise have met. Every year, this act of community building and tree planting reminds us of larger spiritual truths: we are connected to each other, and we are connected to the land. There is always new life and new growth to encounter and cultivate. And for this, we give thanks.