LL-L "Traditions" 2012.01.17 (01) [EN]

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 L O W L A N D S - L - 17 January 2012 - Volume 01
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From: Utz H.Woltmann uwoltmann at gmx.de
Subject: LL-L 'Traditions' 2012.01.17 [EN]

January 17th is a special day for all the apple trees: In England there is
an old tradition of wassailing the apple trees. The word wassail (waes-hal)
seems to be close related to our NDS wees (ween / wesen, EN = to be) and
heel (EN = well / whole).

http://www.bbc.com/travel/blog/20120113-wassailing-the-old-english-apple-tree

Best regards

Utz H. Woltmann

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Traditions

Utz, folks,

I wonder if there is any connection between the mentioned English wassailing
of apple trees tradition and the Jewish tradition of Tu BiShevat (ט״ו בשבט‎,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_Bishvat).

Tu BiShevat is celebrated on the 15th (ט״ו) day of the Hebrew month of
Shevat (שבט). Depending on the year, this corresponds to various dates of
the Western calendar; last year it was on January 19, and this year it will
be on February 8. So the general timing matches that of the English
tradition.

By-names for this holiday include "New Year of the Trees" and "Birthday of
the Trees". It marks the reawakening of nature (according to the Israeli
climate). Ceremonies include planting and blessing of trees, often with an
emphasis on fruit trees. (Fruit trees are considered almost sacred in
Judaism, and their destruction is prohibited.) Tu BiShevat meals tend to
include dried and pickled fruit as well as almonds and other types of nuts.

Also, it would be interesting to know if the English tradition is a remnant
of a more widely spread European or Eurasian tradition.

Regards,
Reinhard/Ron
Seattle, USA

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