B"H

Thursday, Menachem Av 30, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / August 17, 2023

Today is the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul, the last month of the year 5783.

In this week's Parsha, Shoftim, the Torah compares mankind to the tree of the field. G-d prohibits the Jewish people from cutting down fruit-bearing trees when besieging a city in time of war.  The Torah declares the following reason for this prohibition, "For man is like the tree of the field".

There are important comparisons between mankind and the tree.  In order to become a healthy fruit-bearing tree, one must carefully attend to the tree when it is still very young. The most crucial time is when the tree is young and susceptible to all kinds of dangers.

The same is with people.  In order that our children grow up spiritually and morally strong later in life, which is the wish of every parent, we must take extra care to give them the proper education and spiritual nourishment when they are still young. Just like a small mark on a young tree will turn into a larger scar as the tree grows, so too, even a minor negative impression on a young child can have a long lasting negative effect. Thus, one’s commitment to Judaism must start at a very young age.

The great Talmudic sage Rabbi Yehoshua gave his mother the credit for his brilliant scholarly achievements.  When he was still an infant, she would bring his crib to the yeshiva so that he would grow and develop in the atmosphere of Torah study.

Another lesson from the tree is the importance of being constantly "connected." A tree must always be connected to its roots. As soon as it is cut away from its source, it dies. 

So too, "Man is like the tree of the field" - We too must realize that G-d is our source of life and just like the tree, it is important to be connected to Him at all times through our spiritual roots -- through our Neshama (soul), by doing mitzvot and acts of kindness.

Another important lesson, says the Lubavitcher Rebbe, is that a tree is comprised of roots, tree, and fruits.  The roots, although hidden from view, serve a most important role, as 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 being toppled by the winds.

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

Just as the goal of a fruit bearing tree is to provide its fruit for the benefit of others, so too, it is with the Torah which represents the core of the tree. In addition to studying Torah and performing mitzvot ourselves, we must also 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 AND SUCCESSFUL DAY & CHODESH-MONTH