by Joe Indomenico.
Today is Tu b’Shvat, the 15th of the month of Shevat. It is the New Year of the trees for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. The Torah states that fruit from trees which were grown in the land of Israel may not be eaten during the first three years; the fourth year’s fruit is for G-d, and after that, the fruit can be eaten. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B’Shvat, no matter when in the year it was planted.
Here is an insightful article by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh :
trees-tzadikim-divine-blessing-us
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