Happy Tu B’Shvat to You!

Jan. 20, 2011 - PRLog -- January 20, 2011 – Sacramento, CA - Tu B’Shvat, meaning the 15th of the month of Shvat, occurs between mid January and mid February.  Tu B’Shvat is regarded as the New Year for Trees, meaning that trees age one year at this time.  For this reason, the festival is regarded as the Birthday of Trees.  

From the following passage, we learn that God commanded the Israelites to plant additional trees when they entered the Promised Land.  He also gave His
people specific instructions regarding the sacrificial offering and timely consumption of fruit produced by the trees, as we read in Leviticus 19:23-25.

The continual planting of trees in HaEretz (the land of Israel) speaks of ownership, settlement, and provision for future generations.  What one plants today may feed and shade his descendants for many generations.  In addition to planting trees, many will plant parsley at this time, the bitter herb of Pesach (Passover = March or April) that will be placed on the Seder plate during the most solemn of all biblical feasts.  Other Tu B’Shvat traditions include the consumption of all the foods of the Shavat HaMinim (Seven Species) that are listed in Deut. 7:7-8.

Imagine the joy of the weary sojourners when they entered the land during the time of the fall harvest.  The luscious, abundant, ripe grapes and fruits of the four trees of the Seven Species were spread out before them like a great banquet!  Tu B’Shvat brings to remembrance the immense bounty of the land God gave to His chosen ones, a bounty that would remain, provided they would obey His commands faithfully.

Remember that if you are a child of God, you are a tree of righteousness, the planting of the Lord (Is 61:3).  Happy Tu B’Shvat!

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Article by Dr. Noreen Jacks - For more than 30 years, Dr. Noreen Jacks http://noreenjacks.com/ has taught the Bible with a passion for the Word of God, and visions of hope for those in need of spiritual restoration.  Her debut book, Promises from the Olive Tree http://www.sacramentoinsights.com/business/annunciation-m..., incorporates her in-depth biblical knowledge with the experience of raising four sons. The result is a unique manual for successful parenting.

Published by Sacramento Insights http://www.sacramentoinsights.com/

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