B"H

Monday, Shevat 15, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / February 6, 2023

Today (Monday) is the 15th day of the Hebrew month Shevat, also known as Tu Bi’Shevat - Rosh Hashanah L'Ilanot - New Year for trees.  The word "Tu," which is spelled, Tet (9) & Vav (6), represents the number 15 - hence the name Tu Bi’Shevat.

According to our sages, the significance of New Year for trees to us is based on the following Torah verse (Deut. 20:19), "Ki Ha'adam Eitz Ha'sadeh" - "Man is compared to a tree."

The Torah is also compared to a tree, "Eitz Chaim" - "A Tree of Life."  Based on the above, our sages have found many lessons which we can learn from the trees.

For example, for a tree to become full grown and healthy, giving valuable fruit, one must attend to the tree when it is still very young as at that stage the tree is susceptible to all kinds of dangers.

The same is with mankind. To ensure that our children grow up spiritually and morally strong, we must take extra care to give them the proper spiritual nourishment when they are young.  Just like a small mark on a young tree can turn into a large scar when the tree is older, the smallest negative impression on a young child can have a most lasting negative effect.

The Mishna in Pirkei Avot compares the knowledge of Torah to the tree itself ("a tree of life"), and the performance of good deeds (Mitzvot) to the roots of the tree. 

Says the Mishna, "Anyone whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, to what can he be compared? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, and when the wind comes, it turns it upside down... But anyone whose good deeds exceed his wisdom, to what can he be compared? To a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous. Even if all the winds in the world were to come and blow against it, they could not move it from its place..."

The Lubavicher Rebbe makes the following analogy: A tree is comprised of roots; tree; fruits.  The roots, although hidden from view, serve a most important role in the life and existence of the tree. Through the roots the tree draws its nourishment and essential minerals which are so important for its growth and existence. Also, the roots are what hold up the tree. The stronger the roots, the more protection the tree will have from winds.

So too, it is with the life of a Jew. The roots represent our "Emunah" ("belief in G-d"), which must be instilled at the earliest age of a child.  The stronger one is rooted in his/her belief in G-d, the better the chance that they will withstand any negative winds and forces which try to tear a Jew away from G-d.

The goal of a fruit bearing tree is to provide its fruit for the benefit of others, so too, with the Torah. In addition to studying Torah and performing mitzvot ourselves, we must be "fruitful" in the sense that we must help others so they too will benefit from the beauty of Torah and mitzvot.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL AND VERY FRUITFUL DAY