Jewish Law
Daily Halacha: Does Preparing Fruits for Tu BiShvat Have Meaning?
Learn about the tradition of arranging many fruits on Tu BiShvat and how to handle blessings during the celebration
Is there a reason to prepare many fruits for Tu BiShvat?
Yes, there is a beautiful and meaningful custom to prepare a variety of tree-grown fruits on the night of Tu BiShvat, especially the ones for which the Land of Israel is praised in the Torah like grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates.
This tradition helps us honor Tu BiShvat, which is known as the New Year for Trees (Rosh Hashanah La'Ilanot), and gives us the chance to express appreciation for the blessings Hashem provides through nature. When doing so, it is important to recite the appropriate blessings (berachot) over each fruit.
This custom is encouraged and described as a praiseworthy practice in Yalkut Yosef.
If several types of wine are served during the Tu BiShvat gathering, should the blessing of HaTov VeHaMeitiv be said?
Even though different wines might be served during the Tu BiShvat celebration, one should not recite the special blessing of HaTov VeHaMeitiv over the second wine.
The reason is that this blessing is typically said only during a meal, and the Tu BiShvat fruit gathering is usually not considered a full meal in the halachic sense.
This halacha is clarified in Chazon Ovadia, page 78.
From “Ach Tov VaChesed – Daily Halacha” by Hidabroot
