Today marks the holiday of Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees. What exactly Tu Bishvat is? (THREAD) 
Judaism attributes great respect to the trees. The trees are mentioned in Jewish sources several times and are even given the status of human beings.
Judaism states that trees shouldn’t be damaged by humans, not even during a war, since trees can never harm humans but only helps human survival in its fruits and the oxygen it emits.
The trees have such a high status that the Midrash points that if a person is planting a tree and the Messiah arrives - he must first finish planting the tree before he can welcome the Messiah.
There are laws regarding trees - it’s forbidden to eat a fruit that ripened on a 3 year old tree. So how can we know when we’re able to pick fruits and eat?
That’s where Tu Bishvat plays its role.
On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, the fruits can be picked and eaten. In ancient times, pagan peoples would celebrate the fruit harvest in the first 3 years since the tree was planted.
On the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, the fruits can be picked and eaten. In ancient times, pagan peoples would celebrate the fruit harvest in the first 3 years since the tree was planted.
The Jews view this law as a way to differentiate them from the pagans. And also see these 3 years as a reminder of the story of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
One of the holiday customs is eating fruits and hold a Tu B'Shvat Seder, in which they thank God for the fruits of the Land of Israel. In addition, the holiday is celebrated by planting trees, and raising awareness of nature conservation and the environment.
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