Occurring on Shvat 15th, Tu B”Shvat in Hebrew or New Years of theTrees is both the day of the dime collection and the day of the transition to the next cycle for the dawning fruit. Above all, it is a celebration of nature and hope renewal. As nature is the work of the Almighty, mankind shall not only cultivate it but also protect and respect it.
Since over production, over consumption, waste and inequalities’ growth are established observations, these elementary principles assume a vital character. We shall take responsibility, not only individually but also collectively, to preserve what has been given to us and pass on this valuable heritage to future generations. The tradition of Tu B”Shvat consists of consuming fruits, and in particular the fruits of Israel, in order to hope in this collective revival embodied by the new fruits and to be able to thank our Creator.
Haïm Korsia
Chief Rabbi of France and Jewish chaplain à Paris-CDG and Paris-Orly Airports