Planting for Tu B’Shevat in Mizoram, India
The Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat is literally the ‘New Year for the Trees’. Falling out on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, it is a holiday of tree planting, fruit eating, special ‘seders’ for the holiday and other celebrations of nature and trees. These activities take place all over Israel, but also around the Jewish world.
As we celebrate, in Israel and in communities everywhere, people enjoy the fruit of the trees – especially those of the seven special species of Israel. Another ubiquitous Tu Beshevat activity is planting trees which sends a message of solidarity to future generations (who will be the ones to appreciate the planting done today) and emphasizes the back-to-nature side of Judaism that is meant to go hand-in-hand with Torah learning and prayer.
Our amazing Bnei Menashe community of Hovevei Zion in Aizawl, Mizoram, as they wait for their turn to be brought on aliyah to Israel, they continue to celebrate the Jewish holidays in India, always with great spirit and enthusiasm.
Here they are pictured planting for Tu B’Shevat, as they maintain the hope that next year they will be planting trees in Israel!
