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February 18

Jewish group revives tree celebration

McClatchy News Service

It's a forgotten holiday among many, but a small group of Jews in Bowling Green, Ky., is reviving an ancient celebration.

Tu B'Shevat, the Jewish arbor day, honors trees, which are widely discussed and very important in the Torah, the Jewish sacred scriptures. Last week, about 20 men, women and children gathered at the top of the Presbyterian Church -- where the Am Shalom Jewish Congregation meets -- to pay homage to the Jewish people's love of trees.

"The idea is you're supposed to think about the spring that's coming," said Bryan Carson, a congregation member. "This particular holiday kind of got forgotten, but then people became more environmentally conscious."

The congregation gathered around a table full of wines and juices, seeds, almonds and fruit. Each had a different meaning, and they were consumed after specific prayers and songs.

The Torah places an emphasis on trees. It instructs people to eat the fruit of a tree only after it has been planted four years. It also requires farmers to tithe one-tenth of their crops to the Holy Temple.

 

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