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Tonight begins Tu BeShvat, a day on which the Tachanun prayers are not recited. Indeed, this begins in the Minchah prayers recited previously. As mentioned on previous occasions, the reason the Tachanun prayers are omitted is because, for the most part, on these occasions, the desired spiritual objectives can be achieved without reciting Tachanun.

The New Year of the Trees is associated with the seven species of produce for which Eretz Yisrael is blessed. As the Torah relates, it is "a land of wheat, barley, vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olives that produce oil and honey (dates)."

The Torah also teaches "a man is like a tree of the fields." The use of the Hebrew word Adam, implies that the reference is to the Jewish people. Adam is related to the word Adameh, "I resemble," as in the phrase Adameh L'Elyon, "I resemble the One Above."

Every Jew has seven spiritual potentials which parallel these seven species of produce. Therefore, on Tu BeShvat, when -- and because -- these seven potentials are revealed, there is no need to recite the Tachanun prayers.

May the above lead to the true and ultimate Redemption led by Mashiach when with happiness and joy, we will proceed to Eretz Yisrael and "partake of its produce and be satisfied with its goodness."