Though not regarded as a major holiday, Tu B'Shvat has its own special set of meaningful customs.

by Aish.com Staff

Tu B'Shvat is the new year for the Trees.

The custom on Tu B'Shvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: ...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey (Deut. 8:8).

Kabbalistic tradition even includes a mystical Tu B'Shvat seder service, where the inner dimensions of fruits are expounded, along with blessings, songs and deep discussion.

The proper blessing before eating any fruit is:

Baruch Atah Adod-nai Elohai-nu Melech HaOlam boray pri ha-aitz.
Blessed are you God, King of the Universe, Who creates the fruit of the tree.

On Tu B'Shvat, it is also customary to eat a new fruit (a seasonal fruit that you have not yet tasted this season), and to say the following blessing:

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Published: Sunday, January 26, 2003

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