Tu B’Shevat is an annual Jewish celebration dedicated specifically to the planting of trees. Every year on the 15th day of the Jewish month, Shevat, the Jewish people gather to give thanks for the bountiful harvests from the previous year.
Fruit is the traditional food of choice for this special day—typically grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates are eaten on this day, which are mentioned in the Torah as the Seven Species of Israel.
Communities that commemorate this special day will often plant trees as a sign of abundance in the new year.
Historically this custom dates clear back to Second Temple period when Tu B’Shevat was used as the cut-off day for levying the tithe on the produce of fruit trees.
The practice was resumed in the 1930’s as Jews flocked to the land of Israel as an escape from Nazi Germany. Although they would leave war-torn Europe, the barren wasteland that they inherited would be in desperate need of vegetation when they arrived.
During that time, and still to this day, planting trees and revitalizing the land is of the utmost importance to the Jewish people. In fact, it has become customary to plant a tree for every newborn child—a cypress or pine is often planted for a girl, and cedar is planted for a boy.
At My Olive Tree it is our passion to restore the land to its original abundance. We desire to see the Seven Species, spoken about in the Bible returned to the land of Israel. That is why, on this special day of ecological observance we invite you to join us on a very special project, revitalizing the King’s Valley in Jerusalem.
The King’s Valley, which is part of the larger Kidron Valley and is located east of King David’s palace, is believed to have once been an expansive garden for the ancient king’s of Israel. But perhaps more importantly is the fact that this area is located in the valley just below the Mount of Olives—the very Mountain mentioned in the Bible where the Messiah is expected to return.
Through a unique partnership with the City of Jerusalem, My Olive Tree has been invited to restore the very garden where our returning Messiah will one day walk again. Not only have we been invited to plant trees in the King’s Valley, but this year the City of Jerusalem has made a very special request…
We have been invited to restore the Seven Species of Israel to this incredible location! That’s right: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olive oil, and honey are all being replanted through the generous donations of supporters like you!
“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, that flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.”—Deuteronomy 8:7-8
What an incredible opportunity to bless the nation of Israel!