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

Eco-Explainer: What is Environmental Justice?

You've seen environmental justice come under fire. But what does the term mean? Here are…

9 hours ago

Rally Against Rate Hikes, Free ‘How City Council Works’ Training, Native Plants Guide & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: 25 Philly-Area Solar for Schools grants awarded. Lawmakers…

6 days ago

How to match your dollars with your values: Invest in less plastic, not fossil fuels.

Green Century has helped investors and businesses support the planet, not polluters, for over 30…

1 week ago

Can a greener Philly reduce crime?

In a bid to improve public safety, quality of life initiatives are bringing brighter lights…

1 week ago

Ride of Silence, Brownfields Cleanup, Solar in Schools, & More

Catch up on this week's sustainability news: New public orchard and gateway garden at Penn…

2 weeks ago

Sustainability with substance: How local green entrepreneurs strive for success

Consumers want authentic sustainability from suppliers. Without flashy funding or shortcuts, here's how these local…

2 weeks ago