Tu B'Shvat

Tu B’Shvat is referred to as the “New Year for Trees” but what does that actually mean when it comes to halacha? Join Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman and learn why this is a significant Rosh Hashanah and what customs arose to mark it throughout the centuries.
Tu B'Shvat: Tu B’Shvat
Hello Everyone,
ט”ו בשבט is an interesting phenomenon as Jewish holidays go. It is celebrated (particularly in Israel) as a joyous day both by the Kabbalists and the more secular population. What makes this remarkable is that from the Talmud ט”ו בשבט is significant only as a sort of “deadline day” for the tithing of fruits. In Shulchan Aruch it is listed with other days in which the somewhat mournful Tachanun prayer is not said.
So in the coming three sessions we will discuss Tu b’Shvat and how it escaped obscurity.
Tu B'Shvat: Tu B’Shvat
Hello Everyone,
Tu b’Shvat is an intriguing holiday. It is not mentioned in the Torah and merits only a passing reference in the Talmud. Nevertheless over the past few centuries Tu b’Shvat has grown in the Jewish world and now it is celebrated in many different communities.
In today’s session I plan on tracing the evolution of Tu b’Shvat into a significant day on the Jewish calendar.
Tu B'Shvat: Tu B’Shvat
I today’s class we will discuss the significance of ארץ ישראל as expressed in the mitzvot of ערלה and נטע רבעי.
Rabbi Dr. Stuart Fischman graduated from Yeshiva University in 1980 and the dental school of Columbia University in 1985. In 1989 he began studying and teaching at Yeshivat Hamivtar and now studies and teaches at Yeshivat Machanaim in Efrat. He has rabbinic ordination from Rav Zalman Nechemia Goldberg.