With freezing temperatures and snow currently blanketing much of the United States, it's hard to imagine the first blossoms of spring are beginning to bloom on trees in Israel, and Tu B'Shevat is today.

Tu B'Shvat is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the New Year of the Trees, and marks the first blossoms of trees in the new year. I find Tu B'Shvat to be an important Jewish holiday, despite being less well-known and less celebrated in the United States. Tu B'Shvat not only connects us to nature, but also to the sacred land of Israel. 

Throughout my Jewish studies, I have learned that people can feel spiritually connected to trees and nature. Trees are often used as symbols for our lives, as we also develop from a small seed, grow roots, and get bigger and stronger, just as trees grow trunks and branches. Our roots are our foundation and our connection to our past, so we always remember where we came from and how far we have come. The roots connect and draw nutrients from the earth, just as we learn lessons and values from our parents and ancestors, which enable us to grow stronger. The trunk and branches of the tree symbolize character and personal growth, and how we evolve and learn every day, looking for light and the future. Whether it is learning something in school or completing mitzvot by volunteering in our communities, these experiences provide us with continuous “nutrients” to support our development and strengthening. The fruit of the tree represents the impact of its branches—the legacy of how we live our lives, treat others, and what our actions ultimately produce.

It is impossible to move forward and grow in the present without remembering and embracing our past, just as a tree cannot continue to grow if it does not have roots digging deep in the soil. Similar to trees, people weather metaphoric storms that shape our lives both positively and negatively. Sometimes we shed our leaves through difficult times and then bloom again.

The Tree of Life is an important symbol in Jewish mysticism and has always been an important part of my Jewish experience. The Tree of Life has intertwined roots and branches that represent spiritual and physical growth and connection, as well as the heritage of the Jewish people and our traditions. For me, the Tree of Life symbolizes growth through change—we can honor continuity and respond to the influences of our past while evolving and building upon the knowledge, values, and lessons passed down by our ancestors.

Don't breeze over Tu B'Shvat, this year—remember the symbolism of the trees and celebrate them. To honor the traditions of our ancestors, we can care for the earth by planting trees, recycling, repurposing, reducing waste, driving less, and walking or biking more.