On Tu B’Shvat in Israel, people like to go outside and plant trees. (AKA “Tu Bishvat” and “New Year for Trees”). We like to eat fruit from trees like dried fruits since traditionally that’s how fruits from the previous season were preserved, prior to global exporting practices.
But “New Year for Trees” is nowhere commanded in the Scriptures. As such, Tu B’Shvat is a good example of how Romans 14:5 relates to feasts which are not Commanded in the Word: That is, some feasts may be relatively harmless, although not commanded; participation in such feasts is optional and up to each individual’s choice. In the Body of Messiah, we are not to judge one another about non-mandatory things:
One man discriminates between days; and another judges all days alike. But let every one be sure in regard to his knowledge. 6. He that esteems a day, esteems (it) for his Master: and he that esteems not a day for his Master, he does not esteem (it). And he that eats, eats to his Master and gives thanks to Elohim: and he that eats not to his Master he eats not and gives thanks to Elohim. (Romans 14:5 AENT)
What do you think? Does this passage relate to non-mandatory feasts? Leave your comments below.
For further reading on the question, “What are mandatory feasts for the Disciple of the Messiah?” For this, we click the link to have a look at Colossians 2:16.
