Tu Bishvat is this week, and unfortunately, it’s caused a government crisis with the Arab Party threatening to leave the coalition if we plant trees in the Negev. It’s also a Shmittah/Sabbatical year, and religious groups will be running hikes instead of planting, which is forbidden in the Shmittah Year. It’s beautiful seeing the focus for this Tu Bishvat be about the sanctity of the land and the mitzvot that we’re able to keep for the first time in millennia. #ShmittahRocks

One of the stories below focuses on Israeli companies impacting agriculture worldwide. The company I immediately think of is Netafim, which originated drip irrigation. The company eventually sold to a Mexican company for $1.5 billion. In addition, a friend of mine has a podcast with Israeli entrepreneurs and interviewed Naty Barak in a two-part series. You can find that podcast here.

The internal security service, the Shin Bet, arrested five Israelis on the charge of spying for Iran. It seems Iran will try everything in its power to hurt the Jewish State and good for the Shin Bet for uncovering the plot and arresting those responsible.

Finally, the weekend is expected to be a cold and wet one. Winter should be returning once again with a lot of wet weather.

The forests are full of green, and wildflowers are sprouting everywhere. I’m not sure if the almond trees are in full bloom, but I do know that now is the perfect time to sing about it.

Wishing you all a pleasant Tu Bishvat enjoying the fruits of the holy land.

As always, I hope to make you smile with some articles and nuggets from the past week.

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Shabbat Shalom and Good Shabbos.

*The views and opinions expressed in the articles linked in the articles below may not reflect the opinions and attitudes of Gilis Goodies