What Jewish holiday, also called 'New Year of the Trees,' occurred on February 1-2, 2026?

The Jewish holiday known as the "New Year of the Trees," which took place on February 1-2, 2026, is called Tu Bishvat. This minor Jewish holiday is observed on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. The name "Tu Bishvat" itself literally translates to the "15th of Shevat," with "Tu" representing the numerical value of 15 in Hebrew. While its date shifts on the Gregorian calendar each year due to its lunar cycle origins, in 2026, it began at sundown on Sunday, February 1, and concluded at nightfall on Monday, February 2.

Originally, Tu Bishvat served as an agricultural festival and a significant date for ancient Jewish farmers. It marked the cutoff for determining which year's tithes were due for fruits, as it was believed that by this time, most of the winter rains in Israel had fallen, and trees were beginning a new fruit (Review)-bearing cycle. Eating fruit from trees in the Land of Israel was forbidden for the first three years, and in the fourth year, the fruit was offered to priests.

Over centuries, the observance of Tu Bishvat evolved. In the 16th century, Kabbalists in Safed instituted a special Tu Bishvat seder, similar to a Passover seder, which involves eating specific fruits, particularly the "seven species" associated with the Land of Israel, and drinking four cups of wine, each with symbolic meaning. Today, Tu Bishvat is often regarded as the Jewish Arbor Day and an ecological awareness day in contemporary Israel. Many celebrate by planting trees, either physically or through donations, emphasizing themes of renewal, environmental responsibility, and gratitude for the natural world.