Friends!

Today Jews celebrate Tu B'Shvat, the New Year or trees. According to legend, when God gave people New Year trees were offended and started to envy. Then the Lord gave a similar holiday and them. The period was chosen not by chance -exactly in the month "Shevat" trees wake up from winter sleep.

For Jews trees are essential - first Zionists planted them in Israel, not only in order to restore the land, but also as a symbol of the growth of the Jewish nation. And now on the Tu B'Shvat people plant trees, because it brings them to God. In regions where on the holiday is too cold for planting trees, Jews plant parsley. Anyone who cannot plant the plant itself, donates money to Jewish National Fund, which is engaged in restoration Israeli forest.

On Tu B'Shvat is a habit -to drink 4 glasses of mixed wine - red and white. And to eat fruits in the correct sequence to drew Tree of Life, which grew in Eden. First people have to eat fruits with inedible shell and a soft middle, like bananas or walnuts. Next - the fruit with soft shell and bone - grapes, dates. The last are the ones you can eat completely - berries.

Incidentally, the fact that Tu B'Shvat symbolizes rebirth is connected with the fact, that known Israeli building was laid on that day. First stone of Hebrew University in Jerusalem was laid on Tu B'Shvat in 1918, of Technion in Haifa - on holiday in 1925, even the Knesset was started to build on Tu B'Shvat - in 1949.

Friends! Tu B'Shvat is not only a wonderful holiday and strong tradition. This is the day that exalt ecology and environmental protection. We must protect not only your land, but the whole planet from pollution. Only when each take care of nature, we can save it.