Literally, the 15th day of Shevat, known as the “New Year of Trees.” It marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, and in ancient times people thought of it as the day in which sap begins to flow again in the trees. Before the Jews were driven from their land, it was celebrated with the festive planting of saplings. This custom has been revived in modern Israel, and is joyously observed in a land that centuries of neglect have denuded of green things. In the Diaspora, Tu Bishevat was also celebrated by eating such Israel fruits as figs, dates, and “boxer,” the fruit of the carob tree.