Reaching for a Better World

“Reaching for a Better World” is artwork by Aaron Koster (2024, mixed media). 

As we reach towards growth together in the midst of a world in peril, Aaron Koster’s expressive and thoughtful piece reminds us that when we support each other and hold hope, we can regrow from amongst the ashes and tears. Tragedies will strike, and we will mourn them, but the wise and the faithful will never stop looking towards tomorrow.

This evening, Jewish people worldwide celebrate nature and its fruitful strength with Tu BiShvat (the 15th of the Hebrew month Shevat), the Jewish “New Year for the Trees”. 

This ancient agricultural holiday marks the cyclical renewal of the natural world, as many trees have been harvested at this point in the year and begin regrowth.

This time of year also serves as a date to mark the year a tree was planted. The Torah remarks, “When you enter the land [of Israel] and plant any tree for food, you shall regard its fruit as forbidden. Three years it shall be forbidden for you, not to be eaten” (Vayikra/Leviticus 19:23) as to allow the tree sufficient time to mature and develop before we demand a harvest from it. 

In Eretz Yisrael, late winter also marks the end of the olive pressing season and was historically used as a tax day to the Temple.