The Fifteenth of Shevat is the day when in the Land of Israel, Eretz Yisrael most of the year’s rain has fallen and though most of the winter season lays ahead sap begins to flow anew through the trees. Fruits that began ripening before the Fifteenth of Shevat are considered as part of previous year’s produce. Conversely, fruit that began to ripen after the Fifteenth of Shevat are considered as produce of the current year. Consequently the Fifteenth of Shevat is called the New Year for Trees.… Continue

The Talmud (Rosh HaShaashana 2a) teaches that the 15th of She vat is the New Year for trees. According to Rashi ZT’L ZY’A (14a) this is literally the trees’ new year when the sap begins flowing anew thus beginning the year’s produce.



Rabbi Yisrael Chaim Friedman ZT’L ZY’A in Lekutei Ma’riach ZT’L ZY’A citing Magen Avraham ZT’L ZY’A commenting on Orach Chaim 131 (note 16) that Ashkenazi (European) Jews have adopted the practice to celebrate the date with eating additional fruit in… Continue