Following last night's Super Wolf Blood Moon (FYI: lunar eclipses are generally considered bad omens for Israel), today is Tu B'Shevat (15th of Shevat), the "New Year for Trees" (a holiday that portends good for Israel). According to Torah (Deuteronomy/Devarim 26), the first products of trees in the Land of Israel were holy and dedicated to the tithe and offerings of "first fruits" until the third year. Then, the people of Israel could eat freely from them. So, the rabbis deduced the need to count the annual cycle of trees based on their blossoming each spring. Since the trees' blossoming and produce is dependent on the "former rains" of the month of Shevat (Jan/Feb) the first fruits began their development then. So, the 15th, which is the midpoint of the lunar month Shevat, was selected to be the starting "New Year" count for the trees. Typically, the first trees to blossom are the almond trees (see photo). The almond, which is in the shape of the human eye and part of the decor of the Menorah (aka lamp stand) in both the Tabernacle and Temple, represents vision, watchfulness, and the ability to see and perceive the light, i.e. the Word of G-d, in action (Jeremiah/Yirmayahu 1:11-12). As per Torah, the first fruits of the trees in Israel were dedicated not only to the support of the Levites (meaning "joined"), but also of the stranger (gentiles/goyim), fatherless, and widow; after which, the people of Israel could eat thereof. This is now the third millennium since the time of Jesus/Yeshua, who is the Word of G-d incarnate (John 1) and the Light of the World (John 8:12). Those that have "joined" themselves to Him, have eaten freely as the "first fruits" during this time. Now, the Time of Jacob's trouble is fast approaching, as portended by a lunar eclipse, but their day of enlightenment to Yeshua, as portended by Tu Shevat, soon follows. May Israel's eyes be opened so that they too may eat of the Tree of Life. Since a day is as a thousand years to the L-rd (Psalm/Tehillim 90:5, 2 Peter/ Bet Kefa 3:8) my prayer for Israel is found in Hosea 6:1-3, "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."