|
The
15th
of
Shevat
Rosh
Hashanah
of
Trees |
 |
This
has
reference
to
the
different
tithes
which
are
brought
each
year,
counting
towards
the
seventh,
shmittah
year,
(which
will
take
place
next
year).
The
same
applies
to
the
conclusion
of
the
orlah
years.
Our
Sages
have
designated
the
15th
of
Shevat
as
the
boundary
between
one
year
and
another,
since
most
of
the
rains
of
the
previous
year
have
already
fallen.
Any
new
growth
of
fruit
after
this
day
is
a
result
of
the
blessings
of
the
new
year.
On
the
15th
of
Shevat
also,
the
soil
is
already
saturated
with
the
rains
of
the
previous
winter,
so
that
trees
newly
planted
after
the
15th
of
Shevat
are
assured
of
taking
firm
root
and
bringing
forth
fruit.
It
is
written
in
Koheles
Rabbah
7:13
that
the
Holy
One,
Blessed
be
He,
led
Odom
HaRishon
through
Gan
Eden
and
said
“I
created
all
My
beautiful
and
glorious
works
for
your
sake.
Take
heed
not
to
damage
or
destroy
My
world,
for
if
you
damage
it,
there
is
no
one
to
make
it
right
after
you.”
There
is
a
profound
and
important
connection
between
the
welfare
of
the
world
and
trees.
In
fact,
the
Torah
instructs
us
specifically
not
to
cut
down
trees.
As
it
is
written,
“When
you
shall
besiege
a
city
for
a
long
time,
in
making
war
against
it,
you
shall
not
destroy
its
trees
by
forcing
an
axe
against
them;
for
you
may
eat
from
them,
and
you
shall
not
cut
them
down.”
(Devorim
20:19)
Trees
are
an
important
indicator
of
how
well
man
is
taking
care
of
the
world.
The
unfortunate
results
are
there
to
be
seen.
As
brought
in
Perek
Shirah,
the
trees
sing
for
the
future.
As
it
says,
“Then
shall
the
tree
of
the
forest
sing
out
at
the
presence
of
G-d,
because
He
comes
to
judge
the
earth”
(Divrei
Hayamim
II
15,33).
‘At
the
End
of
Days,
it
is
written
“a
river
will
pour
out
from
below
the
Beis
HaMikdash.”
It
will
have
healing,
purifying
waters
that
will
feed
the
wondrous
trees
on
its’
banks.
Trees
that
will
be
used
for
food
and
healing’
(Yechezkel,
Ch
47).
So
that
is
why
the
trees
sing
then.
Only
then
will
they
be
able
to
thrive
fully.
The
trees’
only
hope
is
to
hold
out
until
the
End
of
Days,
when
G-d
will
openly
sort
out
matters.
The
Song
of
the
Trees
is
an
urgent
plea
for
man
to
use
the
world
properly.
“Blessed
are
You,
Hashem
our
G-d,
King
of
the
universe,
for
nothing
is
lacking
in
His
universe,
and
He
created
in
it
good
creatures
and
goodly
trees
wherewith
to
give
delight
to
mankind”