Tu B'Shvat Seder Guide
In Hebrew, the word “seder” means “order”. The Tu B’Shvat Seder is a special meal with specific foods and drinks that celebrate a new year for the trees.
Over the centuries, people have developed the use of various Tu B’Shvat symbols to express gratitude for trees as well as ideas about the relationship between people and nature. In the 17th center, this ritualistic meal was elaborated by kabbalists in Tzfat. Israel. Across the globe, Tu B’Shvat Seders incorporated fruits that were locally available based on geography and season. To be reminded of Israel, some families celebrated with Israeli fruits that had been preserved through a drying process. Many of these symbols are still used today.
There are several versions of the Tu B’Shvat Seder. The seder we have outlined in our publication is a celebration of stages of growth. We drink wine (or grape juice) and eat specific fruits that represent four levels of development: from a seed symbolizing hidden potential to a tree that is fully grown.
