“A Tree Course Meal”
Have you ever enjoyed a “tree course meal”?
This is what many Jewish people will do the evening of February 5th this year. This seder-like meal celebrates Tu b’Shevat, a minor Jewish holiday marking the new year of trees. As currently observed, it is also a timely reminder of why Life in Messiah’s (LIFE) work is so critical.
Although Tu b’Shevat is not one of God’s appointed times, its celebration is rooted in Torah:
“When you enter the land and plant all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden to you; it shall not be eaten. But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, an offering of praise to the Lord. In the fifth year you are to eat of its fruit, that its yield may increase for you; I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:23-25 NASB95)
According to Leviticus 19, a tree had to be four years old before its fruit could be offered to the Lord and five for human consumption. Establishing Tu b’Shevat as a holiday on a specific day each year[1] helped farmers determine when a newly planted tree’s fruit could be offered to God and eaten by His people.
All trees planted prior to Tu b’Shevat during the year advance a year in age on this holiday. This might seem strange to us as westerners; however, it is not a unique system. In China, a person’s age advances one year on the Chinese New Year rather than on the anniversary of one’s birth.
Why wait three years before using a tree’s fruit? The text is silent. But it speaks clearly to the purpose – it focuses Israel on the Lord as the object of their worship and sole Provider. The first fruits are given solely to Him and He will provide ongoing fruitfulness.
To reinforce this perspective, the statement, “I am the LORD” appears at the end of this instruction and then six more times between verses 25 and 36. Only after the Giver of the fruit is worshipped in this way can the fruit be eaten with a proper heart attitude.
So, where does the seder-type meal come in? It was introduced in the 16th century by Jewish mystics living in Tsfat (Safed) Israel. Like a Passover Seder, the meal included readings from the Scriptures and rabbinic literature, drinking four cups of the fruit of the vine (here representing the four seasons), and eating from a plate of foods associated with the Land of Israel – almonds, pomegranates, figs, dates, carob, grapes, olives, etc.
With our people’s return to the Land in 1948, the early pioneers used Tu b’Shevat to promote reforestation of the Land by planting trees.[2] This accomplished two goods: physical and spiritual. Physically the trees reinvigorated the Land after centuries of neglect under foreign rulers. Spiritually it provoked reflection on the prominent place trees play in God’s redemptive plan: they were among the first living things on earth (Genesis 1:11-12), present in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden), used throughout Scripture as metaphors for God’s Wisdom (Proverbs 3:18 et al.) and our spiritual health (Psalm 1). And, just as a tree’s fruit brought death, it will be the source of eternal life (Revelation 2:7).
Today the emphasis of the Tu b’Shevat seder is still on trees, but increasingly environmental activism and the concern over climate change around the world is the meal’s focus. The website “My Jewish Learning” put it this way:
“The Tu b’Shevat seder has increased in popularity in recent years. Celebrated as a congregational event, the modern Tu b’Shevat seder is multi-purpose. While retaining some kabbalistic elements – and still very much a ritual that connects participant to the land of Israel – the seder today is often imbued with an ecological message as well.”[3]
It is great that Tu b’Shevat encourages wise stewardship of God’s creation. However this good is undone when its seder encourages serving the creation instead! The well-intentioned impulse to care for our environment is subtly replaced with a man-centered mandate. This is a classic deception right out of the Deceiver’s playbook.
This drift toward idolatry is not new or unique to my people. A famous first century Jewish sage put it this way,
“For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.... For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”[4]
The tragic outcome is God’s wrath toward man and creation’s ongoing groaning.[5]
LIFE exists to speak truth that delivers from God’s wrath and leads to the tree of life. We help Jewish people see the deceptions of the enemy and our own hearts, and how this leads to death and separation from God. Then we joyfully show from the Scriptures how God through Moses and the prophets promised a solution to our dilemma, and how that promise was perfectly fulfilled in Yeshua of Nazareth. His substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection removes God’s wrath, restore us to right worship, and ultimately renews all of creation!
LIFE’s work is critical, yet without God’s provision, impossible. We covet your prayer and involvement. Your financial support funds sharing this good news through one-on-one and group Scripture studies, creative online videos, engaging social media posts, informative podcasts, and the printed word. Your prayer support brings these efforts to life as God’s Spirit works in us and in the hearts of His people.
Why not host your own “Tree course meal” this year? Invite your friends (saved and unsaved), reflect on our responsibilities as stewards of God’s creation, and, most importantly, encourage the worship of the Creator over the creation.
Written by Dan, Life in Messiah Board Chair
What does it look like to both care for our planet AND worship the Creator?
Want to read more? Check out these other blogs on Tu b’Shevat: Happy New Year! (Wait...What?), and What Trees Teach Us.
Have you been to “The Garden of the Righteous” in Jerusalem? Trees have plaques with the names of “Righteous Gentiles” like Corrie ten Boom who risked their lives to save Jewish people from the Holocaust. Contact LIFE today for information about our next curated Israel trip.
Endnotes:
[1] Tu b’Shevat means “Shevat 15,” the 15th day of the Hebrew month Shevat.
[2] Many trees were donated and planted In honor of my bar mitzvah.
[3] https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tu-bishvat-2023/ accessed 1/12/23 10:40a EST
[4] Romans 1:21-25
[5] Romans 8:22