Tu Bishvat is a time to take a deep breath and inhale the nature around us, and what better way to celebrate than by learning some Hebrew Words for Tu-Bishvat? Let’s learn five words that will help you ring in the new year of trees. Also make sure to listen to some popular Hebrew Tu-Bishvat songs!
Key Hebrew Words for Tu-Bishvat
“Etz” simply means “tree”
The first and most essential Hebrew word for Tu Bushvat is “Etz”, which means “tree”. This word is used to describe the physical appearance of the tree, as well as its symbolic meaning. The tree is a symbol of life, growth, and fertility. It is also a symbol of strength and stability. “Ki Ha’Adam Etz Hasade” is a famous poem by Israeli poet Nathan Zach which compares human life to the life of a tree.
The Mitzvah of “Shmita”
“Shmita” means “to release”, and less literally – the agricultural sabbatical year. The shmita year is a time of renewal and growth, during which working the land is forbidden (in Israel). The land deserves to rest after serving us so well for six years!
“Adama” is the earth
The third Hebrew word is “Adama”, which means “earth”. This word emphasizes the connection between the tree and the earth. The tree is rooted in the earth, and its roots represent our connection to our ancestors and our connection to the land. So are we, in more than one way, are rooted in the earth.
“Teva” means “nature”
You may have heard of the gigantic pharma company Teva, or the shoe brand Teva Naot. “Teva” means “nature”. This word emphasizes the natural world that surrounds us. Tu Bishvat reminds us that we are part of nature and that we should care for our environment because we have no other.
Last but not least – “Shatil”, which means “seedling”
The number one Tu Bishvat tradition is to plant a new tree. This is where the seedlings come in. Whether it’s an apple tree or a huge eucalyptus, they all start with a sidling, and there is no better time to plant them than on Tu Bishvat with the kids.
