“Tu Bishvat Has Arrived”
27.01.2010
Tradition Today: Do not destroy
By Reuven Hammer
Like Adam and Eve, we have the task of tilling and tending the earth, not destroying it
Once again we are approaching that time when children will be singing "Tu Bishvat has arrived - a holiday for trees!" and Jewish National Fund tree plantings will take place throughout the land. This is the latest reincarnation of what began not as a holiday at all but simply as the date for determining counting of the number of years a tree has borne fruit for purposes of tithing so that we know when it is permissible to use that fruit. As the rabbis explained, "If the fruit of a tree blossoms before 15 Shvat, it is tithed for the outgoing year; if after 15 Shvat, it is tithed for the incoming year" (Rosh Hashana 15b).
Tree planting is really a Zionist invention, taking a traditional date and transforming it into something that had meaning and importance for a new time. And a good idea it was. Today, when we are becoming so environmentally conscious (or are we?), it is an even better idea.
Trees play an important and interesting role in our tradition. The protection of trees even during warfare is specifically mentioned in the Torah. In a famous passage in Deuteronomy concerning laying siege to a city, we are told, "...you must not destroy its trees, wielding the ax against them. You may eat of them, but you must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human to withdraw before you into the besieged city? Only trees that you know do not yield food may be destroyed..." (20:19-20).
This idea of not destroying is the true basis of Judaism´s attitude toward nature and the world. We were not placed here to destroy the world by wanton disregard of the limited resources that we have. Rather, like Adam and Eve, we have the task of tilling and tending the earth that has been given into our charge. As the Lord said to Adam and Eve, "Fill the earth and master it" (Genesis 1:28), after which God gave into their care "every seed-bearing plant that is upon all the earth, and every tree that has seed-bearing fruit" (Gen. 1:29) and placed them in the Garden of Eden "to till it and tend it" (Gen. 2:15).
For the entire article:
http://www.jpost.com/JewishWorld/Judaism/Article.aspx?id=166354
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