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What does Tu BiShvat celebrate?

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Circular diagram of the Jewish religious year showing Hebrew months around the outer ring and Gregorian months inside, with major holidays and fasts such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Passover, and Purim labeled with their dates. — Jewish religious year The months and holidays of the Jewish religious year.

Tu BiShvat, also known as the New Year of Trees, is a minor Jewish festival that has evolved significantly in meaning and practice throughout history.12

Originally, the holiday served as a date for reckoning the age of trees to determine tithing schedules in ancient Judaism. Following the destruction of the Second Temple and the subsequent Jewish Diaspora, the holiday became a way to maintain a connection to the land of Israel by consuming its agricultural products. In the 16th century, the Kabbalah tradition introduced a mystical dimension, where eating specific fruits was believed to spiritually strengthen the "tree of life" and atone for the sin of Adam.12

In modern times, particularly in Israel, the holiday has shifted focus toward the Zionist project of agricultural development and tree planting. While some view this as an environmental effort, it is a subject of debate, with critics raising concerns regarding its political implications and impact on biodiversity. Today, many also observe it as a day for general environmental awareness.2