by George Wainwright

Tu Bishvat. Often named as the Rosh Hashanah (Jewish word for New Year) of trees. Of life.

    As somebody that is part of the Jewish community I have always shown respect and love towards this holiday. It is a moment in the Jewish calendar where we look towards the future of our planet Earth. It also allows us to develop a connection with the natural world. The Torah says “when you enter the land (of Israel) and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten” (Leviticus 19:23). This law therefore made the Rabbis question, in ancient times,  when to mark the birthday of a tree. They then established the fifteenth of the month of Shevat as a general birthday for all trees. 

  As somebody who invests a lot of my time into the digital world and does not necessarily involve myself into the natural world, I find this holiday a day which allows me to develop some form of connection with nature. Even though I often explore the natural world creatively, through drawing, photography, watching documentaries and reading, I’ve never really found the time to connect with nature. To be a part of it. To breath it. After thinking about this, I personally find it disgusting how much time I spend in-front of my screen and not in the ‘real’ world; however, this is the reality now. The reality of our world. This is why I’ve decided this holiday – Tu Bishvat – should be considered a major holiday. It acts as a bridge, guiding me from technology to the ‘real’ world of nature! 

  I awoke at 7AM on Tu Bishvat. After attending an online university seminar, I decided to go to Kosher Kingdom, which is a Jewish store near where I live to get supplies. I walked down Golders Green Road, excited, yet for some reason nervous at the same time, and later came to a halt on Russell Parade where the store is. I stopped at the lights. My glasses reflected a row of Hasidic men that were confidently carrying baskets of fresh fruit. These fruits signifying ideas such as life, beginnings and their respect for the Earth. I later walked towards Kosher Kingdom and went inside. I frantically ran around the store in a hurry; I was concerned whether it was closing early due to Tu Bishvat. My fingers wrapped around a biscuit, protecting me from the many hands that were trying to move towards the fresh fruit aisle. I had tried to get everything my Rabbi had asked me: an apple, a nut, a piece of dried fruit, a cup of white and a cup of red. These pieces of food allows us to celebrate this holiday and also make us connect with it more.

For more information about Tu Bishvat: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-ideas-beliefs/