Translated by Rabbi Dov Abraham Ben-Shorr

Tu B'Shvat [literally the 15th of the Jewish month of Shvat], the New Year for the Trees, does not, it would seem, have any relationship with Bnei NoaH; rather, it seems reserved for Israel alone. This is because, on the surface, it seems to be merely a "technical" day, one that fixes the date, to differentiate from year to year, for the legal purposes of t'rumoth, ma`asroth [t'rumoth and ma`asroth are specific tithes related to agricultural produce] and `orlah [the law preventing Israel from using the produce of the tree for the first three years after its planting]. These laws are not relevant for the rest of the world. In any case, the reason why this particular date was established for these legal purposes is significant to Bnei NoaH as well. The reason that this date is the date that was established for the New Year of the Trees is that it is after the majority of the annual rainfall in the Land of Israel. This date is established for the entire world. Another significant event occurs in Israel at this time that demands one's attention, the beginning of spring; almond blossoms begin to bloom and the scent of spring is already in the air.

Therefore, it is appropriate to contemplate the significance of this day on two accounts: 1.) Hope for the future. Just as spring is a time of renewal, also humanity will be renewed, and the sparks of renewal can already be seen today as more and more people begin to observe the laws of Bnei NoaH. 2.) This day is also significant to contemplate the significance of the Land of Israel for Jews and for humanity. Already Lord Chancellor declared at a gathering arranged on behalf of the Land of Israel, at the time of the mandate, that the subject of the Land of Israel isn't only a matter for the Jews, but it is important for the entire world.

Indeed, from this land, the prophets brought us the Holy Scriptures. In this land, Jewish prayers, and psalms were composed. The Mishnah, the foundation of the Oral Law was also written in this holy land. As for the future, it is written (Isaiah 2:2) "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of HaShem's House shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it. Many Nations will go and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of HaShem, to the House of the God of Ya`aqov, and we will learn of His ways and we will walk in His paths, for out of Tsion (Zion) shall go forth Torah, the word of HaShem from Yerushal'im (Jerusalem).'" In our day, the Land has merited a rebuilding, both a physical and a spiritual rebuilding, and has return to being the spiritual center for the entire Jewish nation.

As we've already written concerning the holiday of Sh'minei Atsereth, that the rain of the Land of Israel is the source for the abundance (or lack) of rain for the entire world. Yet, not only rain, but also all abundance and Divine blessing in the world, comes "through" its source in the Land of Israel. Where Sh'lomo HaMelekh [King Solomon] said that he has planted "trees of all the fruits (Koheleth [Ecclesiastes] 2:5)," our sages explain, "Is it possible to plant all types of fruit trees of the world in the Land of Israel? Rather, "Tsion is the ideal (or font) of beauty," everything comes by way of Tsion. Therefore, Sh'lomo knew which geological vein reached the land of Kush, and there he planted peppers, which reached the land of carobs, and there he planted a carob tree, etc." In our own day, more and more, the rest of the world is dependent on produce and products from the Land of Israel. Israel is a leader in a wide variety of industries boasting innovations in irrigation, hi-tech, and even advanced weaponry the world turns to the land of Israel as a source for electronic innovations, advances in agriculture and many other fields. (Of possibly symbolic significance, the computer was created in exactly the same year as the establishment of the State of Israel. It's significance stems from the fact that the computer is the instrument of civilization today and the meeting place of the entire world).

Therefore, it's appropriate on this day (Tu B'Shvat) to contemplate the importance of the Land of Israel for the Peoples of the world. One should consider adding to his daily meal, a dish of particular food, which originates in the Land Israel in order to make a connection to the land. It is also recommended to read chapter thirty-six in YeHez'qel [Ezekiel], where it is written that three things will occur in the appointed time. 1.) The Jews, dispersed throughout the world will return to their Land. 2.) The blighted land will become like the Garden of Eden. 3.) The Holy One of Blessing will arouse the Jews to repent and return to Him. In our day, all three of these events are transpiring at the same time. Our sages teach (Talmud Sanhedrin 98a) "There can be no greater manifestation of the Redemption than this, that Israel will bring forth fruit in abundance," as is happening today.

As it's written in YeHez'qel [Ezekiel] 36:8ff, "But you, O' mountains of Israel, shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to my people Israel, for they will soon be coming. Behold, I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown, and I will increase men upon you, all the House of Israel, all of it, and the cities shall be settled and the he desolate places rebuilt. I will increase upon you man and beast and increase its fruit, returning you to your former times and cause your betterment as in your beginnings. And you will know that I am HaShem. I will cause men, my People Israel, to walk upon you, and inherit you, and you will be a heritage, and will no longer be bereaved … "

"For I will take from among the nations and gather you from all of the lands and bring you to your land. I will sprinkle upon you purifying waters and purify you from all your impurities and from all of your false beliefs I will purify you. I will give you a new heart and a new spirit to place within you. I will remove the heart of stone from within your flesh, replacing it with a heart of flesh. I will place my spirit within you, and will cause you to walk in my statutes, guard and following my laws. You shall settle in the land which I gave to your forefathers and you will be My People and I will be your G-d."

"Then you will remember your evil ways, and your actions which were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and for your disgusting behavior."

"Thus says the Lord, G-d, on that day, I will purify you from all your sins and settle you in your cities and rebuild those that were destroyed. The forsaken land shall be tilled, instead of desolation that was in the eyes of all who passed by. And they shall say, 'this land that was blighted is like the Garden of `Eden and the wasted and desolate cities are fortified and settled.' Then the nations that are left encircling you will know that I, HaShem, have rebuilt the destruction, and I have replanted that which was desolate. I, HaShem, have spoken it, and I will do it."

These are excerpts from the chapter, but it is appropriate to read the chapter in its entirety.

It is fitting to contemplate that the Land of Israel never leaves the discussion table; it is always a part of "World News." Also consider that it central on a global scale. Placed between Asia and Africa, and attached to Europe, its centrality is something that one can't ignore. The gal of all this, is that the Land will become the Spiritual Center, not only for the Nation of Israel, but for the entire world as is written above concerning the End of Days.

Another prophesy, of Yisha`yahu [Isaiah] (chapter 60):

Arise, shine, for the light has come and the Glory of HaShem shines upon you. For there is a darkness that covers the earth and the fog of the nations but HaShem will shine forth upon you and His Glory will be seen upon you. The nations will walk in your light, and the kings in the brightness of your shining. Lift up your eyes and look around, and see: all of them gather themselves, they come to you, your sons come from a distance, and your daughters will be fostered at your side . . . And they shall call to you, the city of HaShem, Tsion, the Holy of Israel. Instead of being forsaken and hated, that no one passed through, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy for generations to come."