Tu Bishvat: A Journey Through the Trees of Scripture

From sundown on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Shevat to sundown on the 15th, Jewish communities worldwide celebrate Tu Bishvat, a minor festival known as the New Year for Trees in the biblical agricultural cycle. Trees hold a profound and recurring significance throughout Scripture, often playing central roles in key narratives. We first encounter the Etz Chayim—the Tree of Life—at the heart of the Garden of Eden, alongside the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. These trees set the stage for the biblical story. Remarkably, the Tree of Life reappears at the end, in the Book of Revelation, framing the entire narrative from beginning to end. Trees weave through Scripture in fascinating ways, inviting us to explore their deeper meaning. In honor of Tu Bishvat, let's journey through the trees of the Bible and discover where they lead.

The Tree of Life in Eden

Our exploration begins with the first tree mentioned in Scripture: the Etz Chayim. After Adam and Chavah (Eve) sinned, this tree became inaccessible, guarded by cherubim and a flaming sword:

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden the cherubim, and the flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24)

Now, let's play a quick thought exercise: Can you recall another "tree" in the Torah that echoes this pattern? It's a bit of a trick question. If the burning bush from Exodus comes to mind, you're on the right track. At first glance, it might seem like a stretch, but let's examine the parallels:

“Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the farthest end of the wilderness, and came to the mountain of G-d, unto Horeb. And the angel of the L-RD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush; and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.” (Exodus 3:1-2)

Compare the two accounts. Here are the striking commonalities:

Tree of Life

• Guarded by two angels

• Guarded by fire

• Guarded by a sword (cherev)

Burning Bush

• Tended by an angel

• Covered in fire

• Located on Mount Chorev

Digging deeper into the Eden story reveals even more connections. Just as the Tree of Life stands in the middle (b’toch) of the garden, the angel appears in the middle (mitoch) of the bush. Additionally, while Adam and Eve are barred from eating (ochel) from the Tree of Life, the bush remains unconsumed (einenu u’kal)—using the same root verb. Could the burning bush be a symbolic reappearance of the Tree of Life, still protected by an angel, flame, and sword, and untouched by consumption?

The Deeper Message: G-d's Names and the Path to Life

This bush revelation carries a second layer of meaning, linking back to the trees of Eden. Let us now explore the two primary names of G-d in Scripture: Elohim, representing G-d's power and action in the world, and the four-letter Name Yud-Hey-Vav-Hey (Y-H-V-H), symbolizing G-d's eternal being across past, present, and future.

Combining these insights, G-d seems to convey a vital message to Moses: The key to reconnecting with the Tree of Life lies in understanding the secret of Y-H-V-H. It's not about achievement, knowledge, or deeds—the realm of Elohim and the Tree of Knowledge. Instead, it's about relationship: beholding G-d, spending time in His presence, and embracing His eternal being. This is the true path back to the Tree of Life.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

As far as we know, the gates to Eden remain closed, and the burning bush hasn't reappeared since Moses' time. So, where is our Tree of Life? Proverbs offers a clue, likening the Torah to this sacred tree:

“It is a tree of life for those who grab onto it…” (Proverbs 3:18)

Yet Scripture unfolds another dimension to the tree motif, starting small—like a seed—and growing into something profound:

“I will put animosity between you and the woman—between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will crush his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

This seed develops roots and branches throughout the prophets:

“Then a shoot will come forth out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch will bear fruit out of His roots.” (Isaiah 11:1)

This isn't an ordinary branch; it points to a righteous person—a Messiah:

“Behold, days are coming”—it is a declaration of Ad-nai—“when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign as king wisely, and execute justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; and this is His Name by which He will be called: Ad-nai our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

The New Testament expands on this imagery, describing believers as branches grafted into an olive tree:

“But if some of the branches were broken off and you—being a wild olive—were grafted in among them and became a partaker of the root of the olive tree with its richness, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, it is not you who support the root but the root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ True enough. They were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but fear—for if G-d did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you. Notice then the kindness and severity of G-d: severity toward those who fell; but G-d’s kindness toward you, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off! And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in; for G-d is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which by nature is a wild olive tree, and grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?” (Romans 11:17-24)

Yeshua: The Tree of Life

A clearer picture emerges: Messiah Yeshua is the Tree of Life. He is the Word made flesh—the same Word Proverbs urges us to grasp. Descended from Jesse and the righteous Branch of David, He is the olive tree into which Jews and Gentiles are grafted. Echoes of the Tree of Life surround His death and resurrection: guarded by angels at the tomb, filled with glory and initially untouchable after rising, returning with eyes like fire, and set to stand on the Mount of Olives upon His return. He stands at the center of the story, much like the tree in Eden:

“How fortunate are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14)

As a Messianic Jew, this is why Tu Bishvat holds such deep significance for followers of Yeshua. The biblical theme of trees points unmistakably to Him—the Tree of Life we cling to for eternal life and entry into G-d's presence. May this New Year for Trees inspire us to root ourselves deeper in Yeshua, bearing fruit in His kingdom.