Tu b'Shevat

Tu b'Shevat (which means the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat) is also called "The New Year for Trees". This holiday (like most other Jewish holidays) has agricultural significance. It was traditionally the day used to mark the age of trees so that all would have the same "birthday". The age was important because fruit was not to be eaten until the fourth year.
The most common custom associated with Tu b'Shevat is the eating of fruits from trees that grow in Israel. In Israel, we traditionally eat dried fruits such as dates, apricots, prunes, bananas and many more.

Another Tu b'Shevat custom is the planting of trees in Israel. Thus, Tu b'Shevat is a kind of Israeli "Arbor Day".

Playing in the background is "Hinei Ma Tov". The words to this song mean something like: "How good and pleasant it is that brothers sit together." This song has nothing to do with Tu b'Shevat, but it's a nice song...

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