Planting Trees During War!

Tu B’Shvat is a Jewish holiday occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat (in 2024, Tu B’Shvat begins at sunset on January 24 and ends in the evening of January 25.) It is also called Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot literally “New Year of the Trees”. Leviticus 19:23 – 25 marks the occasion, “When you enter the land and plant all kinds of trees for food…its fruit shall be holy…I am the LORD your God.”

Throughout Scripture, trees play an integral role literally and figuratively in the lives of the people of Israel.

The psalmist declared that the one who delights in God’s instruction will be “like a tree firmly planted by streams of water” yielding fruit (Psalm 1:3).

“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon (Psalm:92:12).

“For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people” (Isaiah 65:22).

The above verses give voice to “life”, “health”, and “peace”. 

Jewish people are nurtured by deep roots.  The Church is nurtured by her Jewish roots (Romans 11:17). This observance of planting trees is a reminder, for Jewish people, especially during this horrible war, that in time life grows, and becomes strong producing good fruit.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.  May we as believers, delight in God’s holy instruction, by reading His Word, being planted by the streams of living water, yielding fruit.

Shalom and Blessings,

Dr. Jeff