TREES and THE FUTURE

The Talmud relates that an old man was seen planting a carob tree as the king rode by.

"Old man," the king called out, "how old are you?"

"Seventy years, your majesty," the old man replied.

“How many years will it take for that tree to bear fruit?" asked the king.

“Perhaps seventy years," the man replied.

Mockingly, the king went on: "Do you really expect to ever eat of the fruit of the tree?"

"Of course not," the man said, "but just as I found fruit trees when I was born, so do I plant trees that future generations may eat from them."

Tu BiShevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, is the New Year of the Trees. The reason for this particular date is that until this point trees are sustained (in Israel) from the rainfall of the past year; from this point on, they are sustained from the water of the following year. (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:2) Thus, Tu BiShevat is primarily of agricultural importance, marking the renewal of the trees.

Trees are vital not only to the fertility of the soil, but especially for sustaining all of life. This recognition came early in Jewish history. Moses warns the Israelites prior to their entry of Canaan: "When in your war against a city... you must not destroy its trees. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down. Are trees of the field human, to withdraw before you into the besieged city?" (Deuteronomy 20:19).

In modern times, the message of Tu BiShevat has been broadened to include ecology and environmental issues. But even this idea is already found in the Midrash. When God created Adam, He showed him all the trees in the Garden of Eden and said: "See how beautiful and perfect are My works! All that I have created, I have created for you. Therefore, be ever-mindful: "Do not abuse or desolate My world. For if you abuse or desolate it, there is no one to repair it after you." (Kohelet Rabhah 7:28).

Tu BiShevat, therefore serves as a powerful reminder of our connection to the earth, of our dependence on nature, and of our obligations to future generations. So many of our holidays and observances focus on our history, our past. Tu BiShevat focuses on our future. And that future, to a large extent, will depend on how careful we are to preserve and safekeep our environment.