Tu B'Shevat is the fifteenth day of the month, thus falling
on the full moon of Shevat. It is one of four "new years"
in the Jewish calendar and is likened to a Jewish arbor day. It
is a new year because it is the time when fruit begins
to form on the trees. As such, it is a harbinger of spring.
In Israel, the day is commemorated with elaborate tree-planting ceremonies. Jews living in the Diaspora (anywhere outside Israel) observe the day by purchasing trees to be planted in Israel as a way to remain connected to the land. Some families celebrate the day by eating foods made from the five fruits and two grains associated with the land of Israel (Deuteronomy 8:8): wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (date honey). It is the time to eat the fruits of The Tree of Life, called The Great and Mighty, Cosmic Tree of the Garden of Eden.
The different types of fruits are said to express three types of relationships. Those fruits that have no pits on the inside nor shells on the outside are fully edible, symbolizing a relation-ship of deep trust and intimacy. Those fruits that have pits on the inside, but the outside can be fully eaten symbolize a relationship with some interpersonal contact, but a guarded private self. Those fruits that have shells on the outside that must be discarded represent a very guarded relationship, that of a stranger.
It is said that trees are symbols of men's lives (Deut. 20:19). According to tradition, on Tu B'Shevat (the beginning of the growing season) G-d decides how bountiful the fruit of the trees will be in the coming year. On Sukkot (the end of the growing season) it can be seen in the harvest, the final productivity of each tree.
On Tu B'Shevat, we are encouraged to return to the Garden of Eden and reconnect to the Tree of Life, to grasp eternity and how life could be againwith no thorns or thistles, no returning to the dust. Michael Strassfeld, in his book The Jewish Holidays, declares that the Tree of Life is the Torah on whose fruits we feed:
"......in the middle of the Garden stands the Torah as etz hayyimthe Tree of Eternal Life, whose fruits we eat on Tu B'Shevat, and whose fruits sustain us all the days of our lives." (p. 184)
In 'returning' to the Garden of Eden on Tu B'Shevat, we are expressing our readiness to handle the responsibility of bringing about "tikkun olam", the spiritual restoration of the world. Likewise, the apostle Paul compares the fruit of trees with a man's life. Good 'fruit' is the evidence of the indwelling Spirit of G-d in a believer: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Gal. 5:22). In order to 'grow' these fruits, one must connect to the Tree of Life, the Torah who is Yeshua. In doing so, an individual will someday be able to enter Paradise, i.e. the Garden of Eden.
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruit; but a bad tree bears bad fruit....Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matthew 7:16-17, 19-20)
Tu B'Shevat represents the beginning of our lives in the L-rd. Sukkot represents the final harvest, when all believers will be rewarded by the evidence of fruit in their lives. Our fruits as they are revealed on Sukkot at the final harvest, will indicate the type of relationship we have had with the L-rd: one of deep intimacy; one with only some interpersonal contact; or that of a stranger.
"Not every one who says to Me, 'L-rd, L-rd' shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'L-rd, L-rd, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:21-23)
Knowing the L-rd is tantamount to having the intimacy pictured in the fully edible fruit connected to the Tree of Life by the Spirit of G-d.
Gershon Solomon, the leader of The Temple Mount Faithful in Israel, has consistently performed prophetic rituals during the Jewish Festivals. Last year he and his followers used this holiday to proclaim a powerful message to the Israeli government as well as to the governments of the enemies of Israel. They planted trees at Har Chomah, the controversial housing development that was begun in Jerusalem. Israel's attempt to build new homes for both Arabs and Jews suffered criticism the world over when the Palestinians protested any houses being built in the city which they intend to occupy as their capitol.
On planting these trees, Gershon Solomon said:
"We conveyed the message that we are again planting our roots in the land which G-d promised us in an eternal covenant. We are here forever and none of the enemies of G-d will ever again cut our roots and the roots of our trees in this country. We shall again make Jerusalem the most beautiful city in the world filled with trees and gardens. Small Israeli children will again play among them. This dream has already been realized to a large degree. It will be more completely realized in the future."