“When God created the first man He took him and showed him all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to him ‘See My works, how beautiful and praiseworthy they are. And everything that I created, I created it for you. Be careful not to spoil or destroy My world — for if you do, there will be nobody after you to repair it.”
Here at Niagara Foundation, we are delighted to acknowledge the Jewish holiday Tu BiShvat on January 25th, 2016.
The holiday starts sundown on the 24th and continues until sundown on Monday. The date of this holiday is significant, historically it has been the period in Israel when the earliest-blooming trees return from their unproductive state and begin to produce fruit. During this holiday, it is traditional practice to consume olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates, as these are the fruits of the earth and are all foods presents in the Torah.
Also called the “New Year of Trees,” Tu BiShvat has celebrated the harvest, ecology and nature, but has grown to encompass themes of sustainability and preservation. On this day, it is appropriate to be mindful of the dangers of a “disposable” culture and reflect on the ways in which we can cut down on unnecessary waste and consumption.
This holiday places a special emphasis on the appreciation of trees, which is hardly surprising considering the Torah is symbolically called the “Tree of Life.”
Niagara Foundation would like to wish our readers Chag Sameach.