So *that* explains it! (Judaism's Legacy #2)

This morning's calendar post from Aish.com lets me know it's 15 Shevat, which is:

Tu B'Shvat, the New Year for the Trees....In Jewish law, this means that fruit which has blossomed prior to the 15th of Shevat could not be used as tithe for fruit which blossomed after that date. The custom on Tu B'Shvat is to eat fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is praised: "...a land of wheat and barley and (grape) vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and (date) honey" (Deut. 8:8).

I believe this explains my sudden near-primal urge to haul the artificial Christmas tree up from the basement -- during Ordinary Time. It might also explain why I'm jonesing for a childhood lunch treat of cream cheese and green olives on date nut bread.