The Lonely Pine Tree

For many a generation, Jews would spend Tu Bishvat eating the fruit that grew in the Holy Land, praising the land, and singing songs of love and yearning about it. During the first Aliyah, the first major wave of immigration to Israel in the late 19th century, which was agriculture-oriented, the schoolchildren began to plant trees on Tu Bishvat by way of expressing their love of the land, and their renewed relationship with it. Since then, generations of children have been celebrating Tu Bishvat, the trees' birthday, by planting new trees, and connecting with nature, local history, as well as the next generations. Just as you came in and found plantings which others had planted, so you shall plant for your children (Midrash Tanchum, Parashat Kedoshim) The renewed joy of the holiday had led to a surge of Hebrew literature, in both poetry and prose. The Lonely Pine Tree is one such example. Happy Tu Bishvat!

Age Group: KINDERGARTEN