The Hebrew month of Shvat is all about rebirth, the restoration of faith, and the promise of messianic redemption. The climax of the month is Tu B'Shvat, the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Tu B'Shvat is "the New Year of Trees," and is a day of joy, especially in the Land of Israel, and doubly so when it falls out on the Sabbath, as it does this year. The sages of Israel teach that on this day, though it is still the midst of winter, a special wave of Divine energy flows through all creation, a forerunner of the rebirth of spring. Deep within the natural world, the vital force of life begins to rise up, within each tree, within each blade of grass, preparing for renewal.