Trees have long played a special role in Jewish life. As in many other cultures, they are seen as symbols of strength and growth. The Torah, the Jewish book of law, is also known as the Tree of Life. Long ago in Palestine people planted a cedar tree when a boy was born. They planted a cypress for a girl. Years later, when the children married, the trees were cut down and used in the chuppah, the traditional wedding canopy.
Trees are still important to Jews today. When the state of Israel was created in 1948, much of the land was desert. Soon a massive tree planting program began. The holiday of planting trees, Tu Bishvat, celebrates this great planting effort. Each year, school children in Israel plant more and more trees. Many of the trees are paid for by children of other countries who have saved money to help plant forests in Israel.
Often a tree is planted in the memory of someone who has died. People all over the world have helped plant trees in Israel. Today beautiful forests cover much of the country. The young trees are a very special symbol of growth in modern Israel.