...Tu B'Shevat

I just walked down Rehov Ben Yehuda to a different cafe--this one would most likely be a hipster hangout in the Village, and might be the same here late at night. "All of my Love" by Led Zeppelin is currently playing. Are there any Israeli musicians worth playing in a cafe?

Today is Tu B'Shevat--a relatively minor Jewish holiday in celebration of the harvest. However, this year is a "Shmita" year. From what I've gathered, shmita is a law of sorts that says that every 7 years (or 12 years?), the land must be left to rejuvenate itself. Traditionally, farmers don't plant crops and one can't work the land. Because Tu B'Shevat is a harvest celebration, the holiday is celebrated a little differently I think. Notably, the Jewish National Fund--the organization known for planting trees to de-desert Israel--is not planting trees this year as it normally does for Tu B-Shevat. I just read that people are instead making contributions online for next year. Who knew? 

Even though Tel Aviv is a secular city, people have been talking about the holiday at least somewhat. At the security desk in my dorm, there was a tray of dried fruits and dried apricots filled my lunch plate for dessert. All-in-all, I've really enjoyed my Tu B'Shevat, and encourage everyone to have some fruit today.