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15 Shvat 5775
February 4, 2015

Welcome to the Hebrew Podcasts Tu Bishvat Newsletter. We would like to wish you Chag Sameach and Happy Tu Bishvat.

Please also check our Hebrew Lesson 55 - Tu Bishvat.

Featured Holiday

Tu Bishvat ט"ו בשבט is on Shvat 15 and celebrates the New Year for Trees. (Hebrew: ראש השנה לאילנות) It falls on Wednesday, February 4, 2015. Tu Bishvat is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat. ט"ו are the Hebrew numerals of 15. Tu Bishvat is the Jewish Arbor Day holiday and is celebrated in the kibbutzim in Israel as an agricultural holiday. Since ancient times on Tu Bishvat, trees were planted for children born during the previous year: cedar trees for boys (so the child would grow to be tall and upright), and cypress trees for girls (so the girl will grow to be graceful and fragrant). When the children grew, they used branches from their cypress and cedar trees to make the canopy (Hebrew: huppah) of their wedding ceremony.

Many trees are planted by the schools and the JNF (Jewish National Fund). Since it was established in 1901, the JNF has planted more than 240 million trees all over Israel, covering more than 250,000 acres. Tu Bishvat seder is celebrated by eating dried fruits and nuts such as figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds. Almond trees are blooming all around Israel during this season. Many Israeli institutions chose this day for their inauguration. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Tu Bishvat 1918, the Technion in Haifa on Tu Bishvat 1925, and the Knesset on Tu Bishvat 1949.

Tu Bishvat Kids Crafts

Flower Paper Plate Hat
Fruit Cups

New Idioms

Black sheep kiv-sa shho-ra כבשה שחורה
Did his dirty work for him as-ta bish-vi-lo et ha-a-vo-da hash-ho-ra עשתה בשבילו את העבודה השחורה
They had a falling out a-var bey-ne-hem ha-tool sha-hor עבר ביניהם חתול שחור
See the world in black and white ro-e et ha-o-lam be-sha-hor la-van רואה את העולם בשחור-לבן

New Words

Azure, light blue    the-let    תכלת

Crimson    ar-ga-man    ארגמן

Dark red    bor-do    בורדו

Turquoise    toor-kiz    טורקיז

Window into Israel

The Eucalyptus Tree

The ministry of Agriculture conducted a survey for Tu Bishvat, the Israeli Arbor day, to find out which tree is the most Israeli tree. The eucalyptus tree עץ האקליפטוס won the contest. It is a native tree to Australia. It was brought to Israel to dry the swamps in order to reduce the spread of Malaria that was carried by mosquitos. The Eucalyptus Camadulensis is the type of Eucalyptus tree that was brought to Israel out of hundreds of types of Eucalyptus trees. It is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 45 meters. To protect the trees a law was passed that it is illegal to cut mature trees without the approval of the Forest Commissioner.

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