New Year of the Tree

Rosh Hashonah 14 discusses the argument between Beis Shammai and Beis Hillel regarding the exact date of the new year for trees. According to Beis Shammai it is on the first of Shevat. Beis Hillel disagrees. They hold that Tu B’shvat is the Rosh Hashonah for trees. The Chiddushei HaRim, zt’l, teaches the deep significance of their dispute even today. “On Tu B’shevat the seraf or sap rises in the trees. The word seraf is an acronym for shishim ribo pirushim, six hundred thousand explanations. On Tu B’shevat we draw down the ability to say chiddushei Torah for the entire year. The Avnei Nezer, zt”l, adds, “Although the halachoh follows Beis Hillel, Beis Shammai is also correct regarding special people who serve Hashem in an aspect of the middas hadin. They draw down this special influx from the first day of the month of Shevat.” Rav Tzadok Hakohein of Lublin, zt”l, explains why it is customary to eat fruit on Tu B’Shevat. “Tu B’Shevat is a day when we fix the sin of Adam and Chavah partaking of the Eitz Hada'as and lowering the entire world. We eat fruit and can draw such great holiness in our food that we fix every time we ate improperly for the entire year.” [Chidushei HaRim; Pri Tzaddik]