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The tradition of conducting a “Seder” on Tu B’Shvat is attributed to the practice of the Arizal, although the evidence for this is primarily anecdotal. The primary source for the Tu B’Shvat Seder is the book “Chemdat Yamim,” which was published in the early eighteenth century. This book was initially viewed with skepticism by many Jewish scholars, but more recent research has suggested its authentic ties to the teachings of the Arizal.
Additional evidence for the Arizal’s observance of a Seder on Tu B’Shvat can be found in texts of greater antiquity. The overarching principles of the Seder Tu B’Shvat revolve around the two trees in the Garden of Eden and the concept that “the human being is a tree of the field.” The Arizal believed that by consuming thirty different species of fruit on Tu B’Shvat with the proper intention and recitation of blessings, one could ascend spiritually and rectify the damage caused by Adam and Eve’s actions in the Garden of Eden.
The goal of the Tu B’Shvat Seder is to use physical appetites to transcend physical nature and connect with the spiritual realm. By engaging in this ritual, individuals can strive to reach a higher state of consciousness and align themselves with the eternal light.