Tu BeShvat

Posted by Mark Zimmerman Feb 2, 2007

Rosh (head) symbolizes beginning, and Shana (year) is from the Hebrew word for change, Shinui.

The process of a tree's development symbolizes the process of spiritual development in a person, from the seed that is planted in the earth, to the flourishing tree that produces fruit.

The 15th of Shvat - Tu beShvat - symbolizes a state where man makes the decision to invest all of his strength into discovering the purpose of his life. He finds that all the powers needed for spiritual development are hidden inside him, and that all he has to do is choose the correct way and realize it. When one makes this decision - to progress toward spirituality - one begins to grow like a tree and finally produce spiritual fruit, namely receive infinite pleasure and reach perfection.

Click here to read a new article by Rav Michael Laitman, PhD on the Tu beShvat holiday, The Spiritual Roots of Gardening.

Click here to download a new brochure dedicated to the holiday - Tu beShvat: Nurture Your Spiritual Roots (PDF - 5MB)