by Esther Korson
Last evening ushered in the one day Israeli holiday of Tu Bishvat. I’m sure there are many people out there who never even heard of it! It’s not a Biblical holiday and the name refers to the month of Shvat on the Hebrew calendar. It’s actually called the “Holiday of Trees”!
Even though it falls in the middle of winter, it marks the beginning of the annual agricultural cycle here in the land. Bad winter weather is still possible, but just now—in time for the holiday—the first of the almond trees have begun to blossom—a lovely sight when they are in full bloom in the Judean hills with their pink or white blossoms!
There’s a lot that I’d like to tell you about this holiday, but first I need to share a bit of background information. When Mark Twain visited Israel in 1867 he later published his impressions of the country in his book, Innocents Abroad. Believe it or not, this is what he saw and this is what he wrote:
“A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over
wholly to weeds… A silent mournful desolation is here that not even
imagination can grace with the pomp of life and action…hardly a tree
or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends
of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”
The land was waiting for the Jewish people to return. When we first began to arrive, in the days of the first Zionist settlements beginning around 1890, tree planting began in an effort to begin to restore the land.
Before I continue, in order for you to fully appreciate the scope of what followed that small Zionist beginning, I have to put it in its proper perspective! You must understand that Israel is a very, very tiny country. It is actually only 290 miles (470 km) in length and 85 miles (135 km) at its widest point. (For fun, you should look up the “Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel Size Comparisons”. On the comparison maps, tiny Israel looks lost in most of the States in the US and shockingly small when compared to most of the countries of the world. It is, however, about the size of Rhode Island in the northeastern USA, a very, very small state!)
About a century ago, Tu Bshvat as a tree planting holiday, was adopted by the Jewish National Fund. It began with massive planting of eucalyptus trees in an effort to drain the swamps in the fight against malaria. But by now—and this is mind-boggling considering our miniscule size—the Jewish National Fund has planted over 240 million trees since we became a nation again in 1948, and they add 12,500 acres of new forests every year! Can you imagine the transformation that this has wrought in such a small country? It has beautified Israel beyond belief and Mark Twain would be flabbergasted if he saw us now!
Now I’d love to describe for you what this holiday is actually like here in Israel! First of all, nuts and dried fruits are on display for sale everywhere.
The JNF holds tree-planting events in forests all over the land. This is a country where the holidays are CELEBRATED—and about a million Israelis take part in the tree-planting events! Most of the school children in the country also participate, and it is a day that is thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Lord graced today with beautiful weather! Tonight it is due to get cold again with rain forecast for tomorrow. Of course, in Israel we love rain and consider it a true blessing from God. (A friend in England recently wrote, “It’s amazing to see a country that loves bad weather!) So tomorrow all of the newly planted trees will be watered from the Father’s hand.
By the way, it is possible for you to plant a tree as well—even from afar! Google “Jewish National Fund Gift Certificates”. The trees cost $18 and you will receive a lovely certificate. There is also a certificate available for planting trees in the children’s forest which features a patchwork quilt showing children planting trees in Israel, also for $18 per tree! They make lovely gifts.
One last fun filled fact before this tree planting celebration draws to a close: Israel at the end of the 20th century was the only country in the world that could report more forest cover and more trees at the end of the century than at the beginning!
Happy Tu Bshvat!!!!
Last evening ushered in the one day Israeli holiday of Tu Bishvat. I’m sure there are many people out there who never even heard of it! It’s not a Biblical holiday and the name refers to the month of Shvat on the Hebrew calendar. It’s actually called the “Holiday of Trees”!
Even though it falls in the middle of winter, it marks the beginning of the annual agricultural cycle here in the land. Bad winter weather is still possible, but just now—in time for the holiday—the first of the almond trees have begun to blossom—a lovely sight when they are in full bloom in the Judean hills with their pink or white blossoms!
There’s a lot that I’d like to tell you about this holiday, but first I need to share a bit of background information. When Mark Twain visited Israel in 1867 he later published his impressions of the country in his book, Innocents Abroad. Believe it or not, this is what he saw and this is what he wrote:
“A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over
wholly to weeds… A silent mournful desolation is here that not even
imagination can grace with the pomp of life and action…hardly a tree
or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends
of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”
The land was waiting for the Jewish people to return. When we first began to arrive, in the days of the first Zionist settlements beginning around 1890, tree planting began in an effort to begin to restore the land.
Before I continue, in order for you to fully appreciate the scope of what followed that small Zionist beginning, I have to put it in its proper perspective! You must understand that Israel is a very, very tiny country. It is actually only 290 miles (470 km) in length and 85 miles (135 km) at its widest point. (For fun, you should look up the “Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Israel Size Comparisons”. On the comparison maps, tiny Israel looks lost in most of the States in the US and shockingly small when compared to most of the countries of the world. It is, however, about the size of Rhode Island in the northeastern USA, a very, very small state!)
About a century ago, Tu Bshvat as a tree planting holiday, was adopted by the Jewish National Fund. It began with massive planting of eucalyptus trees in an effort to drain the swamps in the fight against malaria. But by now—and this is mind-boggling considering our miniscule size—the Jewish National Fund has planted over 240 million trees since we became a nation again in 1948, and they add 12,500 acres of new forests every year! Can you imagine the transformation that this has wrought in such a small country? It has beautified Israel beyond belief and Mark Twain would be flabbergasted if he saw us now!
Now I’d love to describe for you what this holiday is actually like here in Israel! First of all, nuts and dried fruits are on display for sale everywhere.
The JNF holds tree-planting events in forests all over the land. This is a country where the holidays are CELEBRATED—and about a million Israelis take part in the tree-planting events! Most of the school children in the country also participate, and it is a day that is thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Lord graced today with beautiful weather! Tonight it is due to get cold again with rain forecast for tomorrow. Of course, in Israel we love rain and consider it a true blessing from God. (A friend in England recently wrote, “It’s amazing to see a country that loves bad weather!) So tomorrow all of the newly planted trees will be watered from the Father’s hand.
By the way, it is possible for you to plant a tree as well—even from afar! Google “Jewish National Fund Gift Certificates”. The trees cost $18 and you will receive a lovely certificate. There is also a certificate available for planting trees in the children’s forest which features a patchwork quilt showing children planting trees in Israel, also for $18 per tree! They make lovely gifts.
One last fun filled fact before this tree planting celebration draws to a close: Israel at the end of the 20th century was the only country in the world that could report more forest cover and more trees at the end of the century than at the beginning!
Happy Tu Bshvat!!!!
