In the prayers of this day, Tahanun is not recited. Over the years, Jewish communities have developed various customs, all centered around the fruit of the tree. In the hasidic world it is customary to hold a special meal and discuss the spiritual meaning of the day.

In many communities, it is customary on this day to eat fruits, especially fruits that grow in the Land of Israel, and even more so the fruits listed among the Seven Species for which the land is praised (Deuteronomy 8:8): wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.

Since these fruits were not always available in this season, they were often eaten dried. This is the source of the custom to eat dried fruit on Tu BeShvat. Some eat carobs on Tu BeShvat. Before the dried fruit and carobs are eaten, they should be carefully examined for the presence of worms and other insects.

Before eating fruit, one recites the blessing:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates fruit of the tree.”

When a person eats a fruit for the very first time, or even if it is the first time in that particular season that he is eating the fruit, in addition to the blessing of “…who creates fruit of the tree,” he also recites the Sheheheyanu blessing:

“Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and brought us to this time.”

In some communities, children are given fruit packages on Tu BeShvat, or such packages are sent from one family to another.

Some have the practice, based on long-standing kabbalistic customs, to conduct a Tu BeShvat “Seder,” in which all those gathered partake of a large selection of fruits, and drink red and white wine of different concentrations. Chapters of the Mishna are studied as well.

Since this date marks an important stage in the development of the fruits of the tree, some have the custom to recite a prayer that they will find a beautiful etrog for the next festival of Sukkot.

Further reading: The source in the Torah where the Land of Israel is praised for the seven species of fruit can be found in A Concise Guide to the Torah, p. 456. For a deep spiritual message of Tu BeShvat, see A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 48.

Further reading: For more on the month of Adar and its unique happiness, see A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 298; A Concise Guide to Mahshava, p. 48.