6. Tu B'Shevat Anthem

This song is written for the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat, which is the New Year of the trees. Originally, Tu B'Shevat marked the beginning and end of the agricultural cycle. During the Middle Ages it was customary among Jewish communities to eat fifteen different kinds of fruit. Since the beginning of the Zionist movement in the nineteenth century, this Jewish Arbor Day acquired a national character, more so than any other traditional Jewish holiday. This renewed holiday marked the redemption of the Land of Israel, and children celebrated it with tree planting ceremonies. Numerous children's songs were written in honor of Tu B'Shevat, usually relating to fruits and trees that grow in Israel.