How Tu B’Shvat Cultivates Joy and Deepens Your Connection to Judaism

Brené Brown teaches, “We hold the key to lasting happiness in our own hands. For it is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful.” Judaism has long embraced this wisdom, and Tu B’Shvat is the perfect opportunity to put it into practice.

The power of gratitude was exemplified through Keith Segal, the Israeli-American hostage who was recently released after 15 months of being held captive in Gaza. He instilled hope in his fellow hostages by initiating a nightly gratitude practice.

Keith’s wife, Aviva, told a reporter from Yisrael Hayom that despite the cruelty they experienced at the hands of their captors, Keith kept her and the other hostages strong. “Keith initiated something in captivity that really strengthened us. Every night before we went to sleep, we went around and everyone said something good that had happened that day. Every day, Keith always managed to find something good,” she shared. He found gratitude even in small things, such as, “Today, we were not moved around.” This is truly a remarkable level of gratitude.

Tu B’Shvat arrives towards the end of winter when many of us feel restless, longing for warm sunshine and the freedom to step outside without coats and boots. For some, the lack of sunlight even leads to seasonal depression.

It is precisely at this moment that Judaism reminds me to shift my perspective. Instead of focusing on what I lack, I can choose to focus on what I have. Tu B’Shvat teaches me to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones — to embrace gratitude as a way of life. As the Mishna teaches, “Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot” (Ethics of the Fathers, 4:1). Like any habit, developing an attitude of gratitude takes time and practice. Here’s how Tu B’Shvat helps me cultivate joy and deepen my connection to Judaism:

Step 1: Find Something Simple to Be Grateful for Every Day

One of the things I love most about Tu B’Shvat is that it requires no major preparations. No cooking, no cleaning—just an opportunity to enjoy fruits and nuts in their natural state. Even if I choose to host a Tu B’Shvat seder, all I need to do is buy fresh and dried fruits, maybe some wine or grape juice. There’s something freeing about a holiday that asks me to simply appreciate the gifts of nature.

This simplicity itself is a lesson in gratitude. The Talmud (Berachot 35a) teaches that we should recite a blessing before enjoying food, reminding us that everything we consume is a gift from God. Recognizing this transforms an ordinary act into a moment of mindfulness and appreciation.

Step 2: Don’t Take Life’s Simple Pleasures for Granted

On Tu B’Shvat, I take a moment to consider everything that had to happen for me to enjoy a single piece of fruit. The journey of an orange, from seed to my refrigerator, is nothing short of miraculous. A farmer planted the seed, tended to the tree with care, and relied on just the right balance of rain, sun, and temperature for the fruit to grow. I think of the workers who picked the fruit, the drivers who transported it, and the grocery store employees who stocked it. So many hands were involved in this process, and I may never meet any of them—but their efforts sustain me.

Above all, I recognize the hand of God in this process. As the Torah states, “For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt… but a land of hills and valleys which drinks water from the rain of heaven” (Deut. 11:10-11). God provides the rain and sustains all life, ensuring that nature’s cycles continue. So, on Tu B’Shvat, I take a moment of mindfulness and whisper a quiet thank you—not just to the farmers, but to the One who makes it all happen.

Step 3: Never Compare Yourself to Someone Else

Trees don’t compare themselves to one another. They simply grow, bear fruit, and fulfill their purpose. The apple tree doesn’t look at the orange tree and say, “Why do you get to produce citrus while I only grow apples?” It simply does what it was created to do.

How often do we compare ourselves to others? How often do we look at another person’s success and feel like we’re falling short? Judaism teaches that each of us has our own unique mission. The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 36:4) states, “Just as their faces are not alike, so too, their opinions are not alike.” Every person is created with their own purpose, just like every tree has its own role in the ecosystem.

Tu B’Shvat reminds me to focus on my own growth. Instead of worrying about what others are achieving, I can take pride in my own journey. Every day, I say to myself: “Just for today, I am doing the best I can at this very moment.” And that is enough.

Step 4: Do a Lot and Say Little

Trees give so much to the world without asking for recognition. They provide oxygen, filter the air, offer shade, and sustain countless ecosystems. Without trees, life as we know it could not exist. And yet, trees don’t boast about their contributions—they simply do what they were created to do.

I strive to be like a tree. Instead of seeking praise, I aim to quietly fulfill my purpose. Judaism values action over words—what matters is not how much I talk about my values, but how well I live them. A tree doesn’t announce its greatness; it just grows, and in doing so, it nourishes the world. This Tu B’Shvat, I commit to focusing more on doing and less on speaking. My actions will speak for themselves.

Step 5: We Are All Created Equal

Recently, while driving on a back road to Jerusalem, I was struck by the beauty of the surrounding trees. As I looked closer, I noticed something fascinating: the trees were all roughly the same height.

It turns out that a tree’s height is limited by the way its vessels transport water. Gravity ensures that an olive tree will only grow to a certain height, just as a pine tree will remain within its natural limits. In essence, trees of the same species grow to be roughly equal.

I found deep meaning in this observation. Judaism teaches that, at our core, we are all equal. The Torah states, “And God created man in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). Every soul reflects a spark of Godliness, no matter our background, strengths, or struggles. At the same time, each of us is unique—like a fingerprint, no two are exactly alike. My job is not to compete with others, but to embrace my individual mission in this world.

Tu B’Shvat teaches me that joy is a choice. By cultivating gratitude, I can transform my perspective and find happiness in the everyday moments. Judaism offers me this wisdom, not just on Tu B’Shvat, but every day of the year. And for that, I am deeply grateful.

The post How Tu B’Shvat Cultivates Joy and Deepens Your Connection to Judaism appeared first on Aish.com.