Happy Tu Bishvat! If you follow along with me and use God’s calendar for guidance in your daily life, you already know that today we celebrate the New Year of the Trees. Is this only a Jewish cultural celebration? Read this article and decide for yourself. As for me – I’m celebrating as a Christian believer in Yeshua. I’m so thankful God created the trees!
In my own personal opinion, this isn’t just a Jewish custom, though it has, like most biblical traditions, been faithfully preserved by the Jewish people for centuries. This is because the Jewish culture has always been careful to observe the firstfruits offerings required from the scriptures of Torah. Here they set a marvelous example for all of us. That was our first example, then later God sent Yeshua to be the Firstfruits of the Resurrection. Again, someone Jewish gave his time, love, life for you and me. Are we listening? Can you not see what God was doing for the whole world? I am grateful and I celebrate.
ORIGINATION FROM THE THIRD DAY
Where did the day originate though? I would think it all started on the third day. The third day never lacks in importance, does it? It was important to God that plant life existed on that third day before He created humans and animals on the sixth day. We read about this in Genesis:
“Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.’ And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-the third day.” (Genesis 1:11-13)
Did you catch those words which say, “seed-bearing plants and fruit trees”? Then those other words that say “…and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds.”
So, we know that it was the third day of Creation when God created the trees. Today we celebrate this day, their birthday to the world.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TREES
God has greatly blessed us with trees. In ancient times the people of Israel would carry their firstfruits offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. This would be the first fruit that came from their crops, which included trees bearing fruits and nuts. One of these species of nuts was the almond. This is the time of the year in which the almond tree begins to blossom in Jerusalem.
I am from a very southern state in America. This time of the year we see crocus and daffodils popping up everywhere. Even though the air is still cold, they make their way up from the ground and say, “Spring is about to arrive.” We’ve waited so long! This year has been especially cold, with snow and blizzards across the country. Spring will be very welcomed.
THE ALMOND TREE
We’ve all been waiting anxiously. Our hearts rejoice to see those first signs of the changing season. In Israel, the first sign of Spring would be the blossoming of the almond tree. This tree is a very important tree to the history of God’s people. Remember Aaron’s rod that blossomed? Are you beginning to understand why the sages thought this day should always be remembered?
The blossoming of the almond tree branch carved into the rod of Aaron deserves its own lesson. I will save it for another day but please remember to note this tree and its great significance to God’s people. Never forget it.
Not just the significance of the almond tree, but there is so much more to ponder about the beauty and the fullness of this holiday which is native to Israel. I will try to cover what I can without being overwhelming. Like all Hebraic holidays, you have to soak in the facts one layer at a time until their meaning becomes full inside your heart. The New Year of the Trees is no different. There are many lessons for all of us in this holiday.
CONNECTIONS TO SUKKOT
The day and this celebration is often a reminder for many of the blessings of Sukkot. At Sukkot we think about the 7 species and all that they represent in God’s Kingdom. These thoughts are illustrated with 7 different kinds of plant species traditionally used and remembered at The Feast of Tabernacles.
During the New Year of the Trees we like to remember the last and sweetest of the 7 species which is the Esrog. This is the fruitful part of the 7 species. It brings completeness to all the others, blends their flavors into its flavor which adds sweetness to the other characteristics of God’s people. The esrog is heart-shaped. It reminds us to live from our hearts with good intentions toward others. In Israel people are praying today that the esrog which is just becoming a seed in the tree will be good for the coming season of Sukkot. There is always something good to look forward to in God’s ways and the days of His calendar.
This fruit of the esrog isn’t the only fruit tree we are celebrating on Tu Bishvat though. We are thinking about ALL of the trees of the earth and what they mean to us. Many people celebrate a special seder on this day just to remember all of the fruitfulness that the trees bring to us. Of course, each fruit from each tree carries some type of symbolic meaning that teaches a deeper and more spiritual concept.
ENTERING A GROWING SEASON
For example, the trees teach us the very act of growing. We all could take a lesson from trees on the best ways to grow inside God’s Kingdom. Consider the following ways with which a believer could look at a tree and learn how to grow:
DROP YOUR DEAD LEAVES
If you are holding on to dead things and ideas which no longer help you to live out God’s ways, you need to learn to be like the trees and drop your dead leaves. If you are a born-again believer of Yeshua, you have been blessed with new life. The old has passed away and the new can now begin.
Let go of your dead leaves. In the Christian lifestyle there is only room for life-giving deeds and actions. We are a culture of life, not death. Rise up and as you reach for the sky with praise, drop those things that are weighing you down from the past. Move on into the Light of The Life of Christ.
TRUST YOUR ROOTS
When nothing in your life appears to be moving forward, hold on and have faith. Like that tree that stands tall in the winter, trust God. Trust the Torah which He gave to us. Keep walking.
In Hebrew the word “halachah” means “to walk.” Continue the halachah you began with your baptism and profession of faith. Keep walking in the light that is Yeshua. Let your daily practices and traditions reflect a Torah way of life, one that honors and worships God with all of the heart.
Trust the roots of your faith and walk in the old ways. They will bring new life to you. The day will come when you will see new fruit on those baren branches which seem so empty and bare right now. Don’t give up. Stay the course. The scriptures make us a promise if we are faithful. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
DON’T FORGET TO PLANT IN DUE SEASON
Trees are wonderful blessings, but they can’t grow unless they are planted. So many times in the holy scriptures men are described at trees, or trees walking. For example, Psalm 1:3 says, “He is like a tree planted by steams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” Then we read in Jeremiah 17:7-8, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream.”
Or we might consider Mark 8:24 where Jesus heals the blind man. In this passage the blind man initially sees people “like trees, walking.” Consider that everything good you do in this lifetime is like a seed planted toward a better world. We want a world of fruit-bearing trees/people. Think of the amazing fact that each day that passes allows you to prepare the earth for the soon-coming Kingdom of God.
With this in mind, invest time, energy, love and finances into others. Love and compassion work like fertilizer for trees. They help people to grow. These gifts freely given from the fruit of God’s Spirit is what we have to offer to others. The gifts we give others actually strengthens us when we give them away. Think of blessing others as sewing seeds in God’s garden. Consider that you are helping to grow new trees.
CELEBRATE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
Trees are life-giving creations. This is because they produce the oxygen we need to breath. What are you doing daily to promote more oxygen giving life over death? It matters. Look at what a perfect job the trees are doing. We need to pay attention to them. Follow the Torah and consider the message of Deuteronomy 30:19, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore chose life, that you and your offspring may live.”
Celebrate the sanctity of life and make decisions based on each precious breath that you take.
ALWAYS CONSIDER THE TREES AND GIVE THANKS TO THEIR CREATOR
So, in this time of the year in which the sap rises in Jerusalem, why not celebrate the New Year of the Trees? Thank the Creator for creating them for our welfare. Long ago, in the Garden of Eden, the first task given to mankind was to tend to the creation. Trees are a part of this command.
Have you ever considered how important trees are to us? They help us to maintain our oxygen levels. In so doing we could say that they help us call on God and worship Him. We couldn’t breathe without the trees. Do you realize that every time you take a breath, whenever you inhale or exhale, you are praising God? If not, you might enjoy this article:https://www.gotquestions.org/breathe-Yahweh.html.
These amazing trees our Creator made help to grow fruit which nourishes us and helps us to maintain life. Trees give shade from the heat of the sun. They add beauty to our landscapes. Trees open up their branches to the birds and give them a safe place to nest. They even provide places for our children to hang swings and enjoy hours of happy play and entertainment in our own back yards.
THINK OF THE TREES OF YOUR OWN LIFE
Consider the times in your own life when a tree has become dear to you. I have grown fond of many trees over the years as we have lived in various places. I’ve named the yellow-leaf maple at the end of our neighborhood cul-de-sac The Fall Tree because of the beauty it brings to us each fall.
Once I had a very stressful job. There was a tree I passed on the way home from work each day. I would mentally picture myself dropping off the stress from the day at that tree. The tree carried the weight for me until the next morning when I would pass it again on the way back to work. That tree reminded me every day that life is not supposed to be hard or stressful. We are not to bear our burdens alone. It helped me to transition my heart at the end of each day from a stressed attitude into the better place of a peaceful home. The tree protected my family from the burdens of the world.
We all have our stories about the trees we’ve met along the way. I believe God has placed certain trees specifically for the growth of His people. The trees have so much to teach us about life.
DID JESUS CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR OF THE TREES?
But, why would a Christian person chose to celebrate The New Year of the Trees? Did Jesus do this?
The bible doesn’t spell this out in specific living colors, but I think most of us have realized by now that Yeshua was with Elohim as the world was created. As a matter of fact, Yeshua was the One who created the trees. Does that count in your book? It does in mine. He definitely would have memory of the birthday of the trees.
A second thought to consider is that Yeshua grew up in a devout Jewish family. They would have kept all of the traditions, including this one.
So, you decide. I know what I think.
THE MENORAH IS PATTERNED AFTER A TREE
If you study the details of the skillful design of a proper Menorah, you will realize that it was patterned after the Tree of Life from The Garden of Eden. Everything about the features of the Menorah from the wilderness Tabernacle first, then the Temple, resembled the functions of a life-giving tree.
The oil flowed from the trunk (the center of the Menorah which represents Yeshua.) Then it flowed over into the other branches. One source fed all branches. It is fashioned and works the same as the pattern of the sap rising in a tree every Spring.
This oil that flows through the Menorah bringing light to the world comes from olive trees. If you examine a Menorah carefully you will see the carvings of the buds of the almond tree which bloomed from the rod of Aaron in the details.
Why should we keep Tu Bishvat annually? There is so much to ponder and learn from this amazing day celebrating the trees. We have only given you a small portion of the story here. If you wish to know more, why not join in the celebration? God shows us more and more each year.
PRAYER: Father we pray that you help us to properly grasp the lessons you are teaching through your servants with the New Year of the Trees. Each layer holds Kingdom significance. Draw us close to you and tell us more of these precious stories. Thank you for the amazing ways you teach us each and every day. Amen.