B"H
Thursday, Shevat 15, 5785 / February 13, 2025
Today (Thursday), the 15th day of the month Shevat, is a special day, known as, Tu BiShevat - Rosh Hashanah L'ilanot –New Year for trees.
The significance of this day for practical purposes is that In Israel, before enjoying the new crop, one must give tithes from the yearly harvest. The 15th of Shevat marks the New Year for trees and so determines the specific tithes to be given that year. Celebrating the New Year for trees also in the Diaspora, expresses our love for the Land of Israel, its fruits, and its special mitzvot.
In addition, New Years for trees also has significance for us. The Torah (Deut. 20:19) declares, "Ki Ha'adam Eitz Ha'sadeh" - "Man is compared to a tree." Based on this, our sages found many similarities between trees and people which should serve a lesson for mankind.
The Mishna in Pirkei Avot compares the knowledge of Torah to the tree ("A tree of life") and the performance of good deeds (mitzvot) to the roots of the tree.
Says the Mishna: "Anyone whose wisdom exceeds their good deeds, to what can they be compared? To a tree whose branches are many but whose roots are few, and when the wind comes it turns it upside down. But one who’s good deeds exceed their wisdom, to what can they 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."
A tree is comprised of the roots; the tree; and the fruits. The roots, although hidden from view, serve a most important role in the life and existence of the tree. It is through these roots that the tree draws its nourishment and essential minerals which are so important for its growth and existence. The roots are what hold up the tree. The stronger the roots, the more protection the tree will have from winds and destructive forces.
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. Just like the tree, the deeper one is rooted in their belief in
G-d and to their Jewish heritage and tradition, the more they will withstand negative winds and forces which try to tear us away from G-d.
To ensure that a tree will grow to be healthy, tall and strong one cannot wait until the tree is fully grown. One must start caring for the tree while it is still young. A small scar on a young tree will turn into a large scar and blemish later. The same is with mankind in general and Jews in particular. To ensure that our children and we as a nation grow up to be spiritually and morally strong, we must take special care to educate our children and give them spiritual guidance when they are still very young.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW