On the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shevat, the Jewish New Year for Trees is celebrated. The Tu B’Shevat seder is a Kabbalistic ritual meal involving specific fruits and four cups of wine.
Historical Roots of Tu B’Shevat
Tracing its origins back to the Mishnah, Tu B’Shevat holds a pivotal place within the Jewish agricultural cycle. Known also as the ‘New Year for Trees,’ this day was originally set as the date for calculating the age of fruit trees. This was important for taxing and tithing purposes.
Today, Tu B’Shevat has transcended its origins, with its ecological significance gaining prominence. As environmental awareness has grown, Tu B’Shevat has become a day of eco-activism, tree planting, and commitment to the Earth’s well-being. The holiday reminds us of the Jewish legacy as stewards of nature, and the links between culture, spirituality, and the natural world.
The New Year for Trees – agricultural traditions
Tu B’Shevat comes at the beginning of the agricultural cycle in the Jewish calendar. This period was critical for fulfilling the commandment of tithing, whereby a portion of the harvest would be set aside as an offering.
The holiday serves as the cut-off date for calculating the age of fruit trees. This impacts the observance of biblical commandments such as orlah – the prohibition of eating the fruit of young trees in their first three years.
Growth and renewal
Tu B’Shevat also serves as a celebration of nature and the continuous cycle of life. It draws direct parallels to the human lifecycle, and to the Jewish community’s aspirations for growth and renewal.
The Tu B’Shevat Seder – A mystical journey through fruit and wine
The Tu B’Shevat Seder originates in the mystical traditions of Kabbalah. It is said to have been inaugurated by Rabbi Yitzchak Luria — known as the Ari — in the 16th century. Based in Tzfat (Safed) in Northern Israel, he and his disciples outlined a symbolic framework for the holiday, with a profound spiritual dimension.
The Kabbalistic Tu B’Shevat Seder was modelled on the Passover (Pesach) seder, and constructed around the mystical Tree of Life. It was performed with the intent to elevate the divine sparks within the physical world – a central belief in Kabbalistic thought.
The mystical meal ended with the following prayer:
“May all the sparks scattered by our hands, or by the hands of our ancestors, or by the sin of the first human against the fruit of the tree, be returned and included in the majestic might of the Tree of Life. Then the trees of the forest will sing out and the tree of the field will raise a branch and make fruit, day by day.” (Read the full text here.)
Four symbolic cups of wine
During the Tu B’Shevat Seder, participants consume a number of symbolic fruits and drink four cups of wine – reminiscent of the Passover seder. Each step in the ceremony was designed to correspond to a different spiritual realm or sefirah in Kabbalah.
Four cups – from white to red
The consumption of wine is highly symbolic. The ritual begins with white wine, representing winter and potential, and transitions through mixtures of white and red, finally concluding with red wine, symbolising heartiness and full manifestation. With each glass, the Seder participants meditate on and celebrate the different stages of growth and spiritual development.
Enjoying the fruits of the trees
Tradition states that we try to eat at least 15 different fruits on Tu B’Shevat. The Tu B’Shevat Seder adds a layer of symbolic meaning to these, dictating that they be eaten in a specific order.
Participants begin by tasting the fruits with the toughest peels, symbolising the protection needed when engaging more exterior, physical worlds. As the Seder progresses, participants eat fruits with softer exteriors. Finally, we consume those that are entirely edible, signifying a closer connection to spiritual essence free from protective layers.
Different types of tree fruits are consumed, including:
- Fruits with inedible, tough peels, such as oranges, grapefruits, and other citrus
- Fruits with soft flesh, but a hard pit in the centre, such as stone fruits like plums, peaches and cherries
- Pome fruits like apples and pears, which have a crisp flesh and numerous seeds inside
- Fruits which are soft throughout and can be eaten completely, such as figs and grapes
The Tu B’Shevat Seder is a way of connecting with the cycles of nature and the spiritual components of existence. Its observance has undergone a revival in Israel and throughout the Jewish diaspora.
Committing to a sustainable future
The widespread revival of the Tu B’Shevat Seder, particularly in communal settings, allows participants to explore and celebrate the holiday’s deeper ecological and spiritual themes. Through songs, storytelling, and the shared experience of eating and drinking, the Seder connects people to their environment and their heritage. It fosters a sense of unity and purpose in safeguarding the world for future generations.
The Tu B’Shevat Seder allows us to pay homage to our past and also lay the groundwork for a more mindful and sustainable future.
Conducting a Tu B’Shevat seder at home
Celebrating a Tu B’Shevat seder with your family and friends is a wonderful way to mark this festival. You will need to lay the table with various fruits and nuts, such as figs, dates, pomegranates, and almonds. You’ll also need both red and white wines or grape juice. Participants at the seder reflect on the symbolism of each food and drink and often recite blessings and readings that relate to the themes of nature and renewal.
There are numerous templates online with prayers and readings for a Tu B’Shevat seder. Some of my favourites include:
- A Tu B’Shevat Seder for kids – from PJ Library
Based around the four seasons, this seder includes blessings, readings, and questions to consider. - Tu B’Shevat seder by The Jewish Women’s Center of Pittsburgh – on Ritualwell.org
A lovely woman-centric ritual with poems, prayers and songs. - The Kabbalists’ Feast – at Sefaria.org
A thoughtful, philosophical seder incorporating the seven species of the land of Israel, with Kabbalistic ideas and discussion points.
What to eat at a Tu B’Shevat Seder
In addition to the symbolic elements of fruits, nuts and wine, a meal is usually also served. In keeping with the themes of sustainability, this is typically a plant-based feast featuring a bounty of fresh produce. Some dishes you may like to serve include:
- Carrot and tomato soup with ginger and orange
- Vegetable and mushroom bourguignon with garlic mashed potatoes
- Mediterranean vegetable tian
- Black-eyed peas with spinach, leek and pomegranate
- Roasted vegetable rice pilaf
- Vegan carob cupcakes
You can find vegan main dishes here, vegetarian mains here, and especially fruity recipes for Tu B’Shevat here.
Happy Tu B’Shevat!
I hope this guide to some of the rituals and background of the Tu B’Shevat seder has encouraged you to hold a special meal for the festival. Although we are no longer an agricultural society, Tu B’Shevat has gained contemporary relevance. It is a lovely way to mark the changing seasons as we move gradually towards the warmer days of Spring.
Tu B’Shevat Sameach! Happy Tu B’Shevat!
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