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The value of trees in the Jewish faith

April 2, 2013

Trees play a central role in the Jewish faith with entire holidays dedicated to caring for them. That in turn contributes to the fight against climate change.

https://p.dw.com/p/188IG
An olive tree
Image: picture-alliance/ZB

Trees are not only important carbon sinks, but they also play a major role in Judaism.  "The term 'Lo Tash'chit' means you should feel for trees as you do for humans," Yitzhak Ehrenberg, head of Berlin’s orthodox Jewish community, told magazine Denkanstösse. "A tree is like a person. To us, nature is God’s creation, and we have to respect that creation." That is why the Jewish culture celebrates an entire holiday dedicated to trees. Tu B'Shevat is believed to be the day that sap rises in trees, and so it is considered the New Year for trees. Almond trees are especially important to the celebration because they are the first to start blooming in Israel. One of the ways the holiday is celebrated is by planting a tree – a direct contribution to the battle against climate change.