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January 31, 2018
Welcome to the Hebrew Podcasts Tu Bishvat Newsletter. We would like to wish you Chag Sameach and Happy 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, January 31, 2018. 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.
New Idioms
| They paved the way | Hih-shi-roo et ha-kar-ka | הכשירו את הקרקע |
| On sound footing | Al kar-ka moo-tsa-ka | על קרקע מוצקה |
| With both feet on ground | Eem shtey rag-la-yim al ha-kar-ka | עם שתי רגליים על הקרקע |
| We cut the ground from under her feet | Sha-mat-noo et ha-kar-ka mi-ta-hat le-rag-le-ha | שמטנו את הקרקע מתחת לרגליה |
New Words
Earth a-da-ma אדמה
Floor rits-pa רצפה
Soil a-far עפר
Land kar-ka קרקע
About Hebrew Podcasts
Hebrew Podcasts makes learning conversational Hebrew practical and enjoyable using audio and video lessons, flashcards and printable lesson guides.
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