Rosh Hashanah ha-Ilanot

Nearly Wordless Wednesday

Yesterday was the Jewish holiday of Tu b'Shevat, our Rosh Hashana ha-Ilanot, our New Year of Trees, the Jewish Arbor day.
On the 15th day of the month of Shevat, the mystical rabbis of Safet say, the new waters of spring start rising in the trees.
This day is the birthday of trees, and we count age in years from this day.
So, in honor of the holiday just past, here is a celebration of trees throughout the seasons.

In winter, some trees sleep,
but the evergreens, though covered in snow,
still use the sun's energy to feed themselves, albeit slowly.
And they are still tirelessly giving oxygen to the atmosphere.

Even clad in snow, they still provide cover to animals,
and beauty to the forest.

In the early spring,

the Aspens come into leaf,

and the buds survive the frosts and snow

of April in the mountains.

Soon, the green will be all around,

giving shade and food to birds

and mammals.

During the long days of summer,
the trees give us shade,
and the cool breezes blow through them,
bringing welcome relief from
the heat of the sun.

In the autumn,

their job done for the year,

the leaves of deciduous trees

lose their green and fall to the ground.

But before they do,

they color our days with vivid

gold and orange,

a parting gift before the winter white.

On Tu B'Shevat,

we hold a seder and bless the trees

and eat the fruits of the land of Israel.

Atze Tzetim Omdim!

Olive Trees are Standing!

For Tikkun Olam, the repair of the world,

we give money to Keren Kayemet L'Israel--

The Jewish National Fund--

to plant trees in Israel.

And we set aside money for planting here.

Photos taken at various times in the past 12 months by Elisheva Levin.