Hatikva Ministries – JerusalemTempleStudy eNewsletter
Shevat 5786
Tu BiSh’vat falls on Sunday evening, February 1st and ends on Monday evening, February 2nd
Chaverim of Hatikva Ministries and Members of JerusalemTempleStudy.com!
We are excited to bring you this different format this month with some sites of places you can get a Tu BiShvat seder and guide. We wanted to get this out quickly in the hope you will receive it prior to Tu BiSh’vat! If not, please know that you can still celebrate and have a seder anytime in Shevat! We hope you find this month meaningful and learn something new! Chodesh tov!
Significant Dates in the Month of Shevat
1 Shevat
• Alternate tradition for the birth of Asher.
• Moshe begins repeating the Torah to the Israelites (opening of Devarim/Deuteronomy).
15 Shevat — Tu BiShvat
• New Year of the Trees.
• Historically used for determining tithes of produce from the Land of Israel.
• We celebrate with the fruits of Israel and themes of growth, renewal, and environmental appreciation.
17–18 Shevat
• Purim of Saragossa, marking the rescue of the Jewish community from danger.
24 Shevat
• Prophecy of Zechariah (517 BCE), recorded in Zechariah 1:7–16.
Some other interesting aspects of Shevat include the following…
One unique custom is to pray for a beautiful etrog. Since it is the month when the life returns to the trees, this is the time all of our etrogim begin to grow. Also, Shabbat Shekalim falls in Shevat sometimes. If so, there will be an additional Torah scroll that Shabbat. This is one of those years when it falls in Shevat on February 14, 2026. Another Shevat fact has to do with the collection of the Half Shekel. That means the chatzi shekel was collected beginning in Shevat. All the shekalim were due to the Temple treasury by Rosh Chodesh Nisan. We found this connection in The Book of Our Heritage by Eliyahu KiTov. You can find more out about this in your own independent study. Due to time constraints and the winter storms, we were limited on time and could not elaborate on this topic this month. Here is the info on the book and we highly recommend getting this amazing work!
The Book of Our Heritage illuminates the many phases of the Jewish calendar – its holidays and festivals, fast days, and days of rejoicing and sorrow. It explains the meanings of the laws of observance and includes a wealth of Midrashic commentary and inspiring insights by earlier and later Sages. Written almost fifty years ago, The Book of Our Heritage quickly became an exceedingly popular and essential work for every Jewish home, exploring the breadth of our glorious tradition and heritage. It captured the hearts of Jews from all backgrounds and walks of life, as a book to teach and learn from, either at the Shabbos table or any time a Jew wants to draw knowledge and inspiration for any occasion. 3 volume gift boxed set.
About the author: Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov, of blessed memory, is one of Israel’s most acclaimed religious authors, whose books on the Jewish way of life and on the Chassidic movement have become renowned bestsellers. The publication of this edition in 1997 coincided with the twenty-first anniversary of his passing. https://feldheim.com/book-of-our-heritage-2+edition-Large
More about Shevat:
Shabbat Shirah (also called Shabbat Shira, meaning "Sabbath of Song") and Tu Bishvat (the 15th of Shevat, known as the "New Year for Trees") are closely linked in the Jewish calendar, often falling adjacent to each other or even coinciding (which happens about 30% of the time).
Shabbat Shirah refers to the Shabbat when the weekly Torah portion is Parshat Beshalach (Exodus 13:17–17:16). This portion includes the dramatic Splitting of the Red Sea and the Israelites' response: the Song of the Sea (Shirat HaYam / Az Yashir), a powerful song of praise and thanksgiving to God for deliverance from Egypt and the Egyptians. That's why it's called the "Shabbat of Song"—it's a time focused on themes of song, praise, redemption, and spiritual elevation through music and gratitude. Tu Bishvat, meanwhile, marks the new year for fruit trees in Jewish law (originally for tithing purposes, as mentioned in the Mishnah). It's celebrated today as a holiday honoring nature, the land of Israel, fruits (especially the seven species), renewal, growth, and environmental awareness. Customs include eating fruit, planting trees, and reflecting on spiritual "growth" parallels to physical trees. The connection isn't coincidental; many Jewish sources (including Rebbe Natan of Breslov and various commentaries) highlight why they align so frequently:
Timing in the agricultural and spiritual cycle — This period (mid-Shevat) is when winter rains in Israel have nourished the trees, and sap begins rising, signaling renewal and the start of fruit production. It's a time of blessing from rain (geshem) and preparation for the land's bounty. Parshat Beshalach often falls here as the Jewish people, post-Exodus, begin transitioning toward entering the Land of Israel—where agriculture, trees, and mitzvot tied to the land (like tithing fruits) become relevant. The desert generation couldn't fully observe many land-based commandments; now, songs of freedom lead toward rootedness in the land.
Themes of song and nature — Creation itself is said to "sing" praises to God. Sources draw parallels between the Song of the Sea (human song of redemption) and the "song" of trees and nature awakening on Tu Bishvat. Some teachings speak of trees and fruits "testifying" to Shabbat's holiness or nature joining in praise. The power of song sweetens bitterness (like the bitter waters turned sweet in Beshalach), mirroring how Tu Bishvat brings hope and growth after winter.
Redemption and planting — The Exodus (in Beshalach) is like "planting seeds" of the Jewish nation—sometimes involving descent or "rotting" (challenges) before growth. Tu Bishvat symbolizes that planting and sprouting process, both literally (trees) and spiritually (personal/ national renewal). In short, the proximity emphasizes moving from liberation and song (freedom/redemption) to rootedness, growth, and gratitude for the land's fruits. When they coincide, it's seen as especially auspicious for reflecting on these intertwined ideas. Many communities hold Tu Bishvat seders (meals with fruits and explanations) around this time, often tying in themes from Shabbat Shirah like joy, praise, and harmony with creation. Remember, the monthly theme is one of time of renewal, growth, and blessing!
English Tu BiShvat Seder options https://voices.sefaria.org/collections/sNvBy-B7?tab=sheets
Spanish Tu BiShvat seder https://aishlatino.com/seder-cabalistico-de-tu-bshvat/
Tu BiShvat Q & A from Chabad.org www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/356805/jewish/Tu-BiShvat-Q-A.htm.
Blessings, shalom and G-d bless you!
Joseph Good, Hatikva Ministries and JerusalemTempleStudy.com
Shevat Announcements
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