The evening of Wednesday, January 19 marked the beginning of Tu B'Shevat, the new year of the trees.
Tu B'Shevat originally marked a new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing but now serves as a way to celebrate the gifts of the natural world in general and trees in particular.
In the 16th century, Kabbalists created a seder for Tu B'Shevat modeled after the seder for Pesach that offers a means for discussing and contemplating the spiritual aspects of the day.
