Categories: Lifestyle

Happy Tu B’Shevat! Celebrate Trees Today.

Happy Tu B’Shevat to our Jewish friends, friends who believe in the Jewish son of god (Jesus) or any religion!

Luckily my good friend Steph enlightened me: Tu B’Shevat is the New Year for Trees to the Jewish faith, or the cut-off date to calculate the tree’s bday.  This prevents one from eating fruit from a tree younger than 3 (or cradle-robbing trees!)

To celebrate, customs are to eat a new fruit on this day, or a food from the Seven Species (shivat haminim) which are wheat, barley, grapes (vines), figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.  Or you could plant a tree.

The holiday this year began during sunset last night – nightfall Feb 8, 2012… I suggest everyone either eats some fruits or plants a tree to help out the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Plant One Million campaign.  Personally, I’m going to celebrate by eating a Mango (tree fruit) with a side of Greek Salad (olives) and sing Happy Birthday to my baby bonsai tree.  (Isn’t he cute?)

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

Got to go? PHLASK helps you find public restrooms & water fountains in Philly

An app created to help users find drinking water in the city has expanded to…

11 hours ago

A secret green space in the Delaware River? Meet Petty’s Island

Once home to oil refineries, this island is off-limit to (most) humans and now a…

2 days ago

Philly students face longer commutes, how to make less trash, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Salvage shop closes; owner talks mission of reuse.…

6 days ago

The car-light life: How Philadelphians are rethinking their rides

Car-free living isn't for everyone. Here's why some Philadelphians are opting for a “car-light” approach…

1 week ago

How Big Timber Creek may become your new favorite kayaking spot

New plans aim to make this South Jersey creek the ultimate local escape. Hot summer…

1 week ago

DC 33 strike ends, new recycling resource, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  End of DC 33 Strike. After all-night negotiations,…

2 weeks ago