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Arriving in a new yeshiva in Queens as a young student, I remember asking an older student: how is Tu Bishvat observed here, if at all? “We believe that Tu Bishvat is a Chag La’ilanot, a holiday for the trees, not for human beings,” was the response I got. While I appreciated the wit and humor in that answer, it very much reflects the approach Jews had towards Tu Bishvat for the majority of our diaspora years. Interestingly, the person who explains best how this ancient holiday disappeared and reemerged is none other than the ruthless Roman emperor Hadrian who was emperor from the year 117-138, who caused more destruction to the Land of Israel than anyone else in history. He is