[Avodah] Belated Tu-Bishvat Post

[Simon Montagu]

On 2/8/07, Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org> wrote:
> Is there anyone more than 3 centuries ago who refers to Tu beShevat
> as anything more than a date necessary for assessing one's terumos
> umaaseros? A pragmatic cut-off for a din?
>
> (Question not meant rhetorically.)

See the second half of the chapter in Hamo'adim Bahalacha. Bekitzur
nimratz: many rishonim from Rabbenu Gershom Ma'or Hagola onwards refer
to not saying tahhanun or setting a fast on TBS, since it is one of
the four Rashei Shanim. The earliest source quoted for the minhag of
eating fruits on TBS is the Magen Avraham (OH 131 sk 16) which is
indeed only just over 3 centuries ago.

Having said that, I'm not sure I understand the point of your
question. Is there anyone more than 25 centuries ago who refers to Yad
beAdar as anything more than the date when one begins to expound
hilchot Pesahh? Or (admittedly more controversially) is there anyone
more than 6 decades ago who refers to He beIyyar as anything more than
the date when one begins to expound hilchot Atzeret?

Tempora mutantur...