GLOBAL REL IG IOUS LEADERS

Imagine we’re taking a stroll in the woods, enjoying the majesty of the tall trees surrounding us. If we

listen closely we can almost hear the trees talking to us – their roots, leaves and stature conveying a message for our lives. Indeed, the Torah compares man to the tree of the field; the inspiration in the waving branches is relevant to us not only on Tu BiShvat but the entire year.

Sturdy Roots

Let’s start from the roots, buried deep beneath the soil snaking upward to the forest floor. As we know, they are not there only for stability; they extract the nutrients and moisture from the soil and carry them upward to nourish the foliage and fruit. Rav Aryeh Leib HaKohen Shapira, in Chazon LaMoed, points out that this upward motion is counter to the pull of gravity – usually, things are drawn downward. The symbolism is pro-found for our lives.

The Netivot Shalom notes that the roots of a tree correspond to a per-son’s middot, which form his foun-dation. Just as healthy roots produce a healthy tree, similarly good middot form the foundation of a true eved Hashem. Exercising our middot enables us to counter the gravitational pull of our inclinations and desires.

When our characters are firmly grounded in good middot, we have both the strength and refinement to deal with the many challenges we face constantly. By behaving in ways that run counter to the knee-jerk reac-tion of blame, anger or frustration, by resisting the gravitational pull of the

yetzer hara, we strengthen the beauty of our ‘trees’ and the ‘trees’ around us.

Towering Trunks

We can now throw back our heads and peer up at the height of these regal trees. Height is the second lesson Chazon LaMoed learns from the trees that is a direct message to us. Like trees, Jews walk with their heads held high. We’ve been granted special gifts and a mission directly from the King of Kings. As His ambassadors, we can be filled with pride.

The tree’s great height also protects us from inappropriate pride. The tree stretches upward into the sky, making us aware of the vast expanse we must traverse in fulfilling our goals and mission – and instilling humil-ity within us. Instead of the cynical or self-deprecating comments that come so easily to our lips, we can practice a different script – one that both acknowledges the talents and successes of our lives while crediting Hashem for these gifts – and recog-nize how much more He expects of each of us.

Canopy of Shade

As we continue to gaze at the top of the trees we come to appreciate the beautiful shade they afford us. Chazon LaMoed explains that the beauty of the shade is in its constancy. In offer-ing us this special gift – and who doesn’t know the palpable relief of finding a spot of shade on a hot after-noon – the tree is not diminished.

Likewise, there’s an aspect of us that can give “shade” without being

diminished. In Darchei Mussar, Rav Yaakov Neiman points out that this is our ability to smile and offer kind and encouraging words. We’ve all experi-enced how a well-placed compliment can lift our entire mood and even alter our self-perception. Like the shade of the tree, it doesn’t cost us anything yet its benefits are tremendous.

Beautiful Fruit

As we look up at the branches, we observe the fruits, which contain the seeds and potential for new saplings to sprout and grow. Chazon LaMoed highlights how a tree can be put into the ground and produce another tree. This is a special gift given to each of us: the ability to produce many others, both physically and spiritually.

As we raise our young, our attitude, explains the Piaseczna Rebbe in Chovat HaTalmidim, should be an agricultural one. A farmer constantly tends his crops, ensuring the wheat be tall and golden, that the vegetables are picked at optimal ripeness. He’ll add fertilizer to the soil, protect his pro-duce from insects or foraging animals and is constantly aware of his crops’ progress. As parents, we have to look to the future. We’re not just raising good children, but future adults. Our fruits, carefully tended, will grow to be the luscious results of the journey from root to fruit.

Mrs. Shira Smiles is a sought-after interna-tional lecturer, a popular seminary teacher, and an experienced curriculum developer.

The Whisperof the Trees

Mrs. Shira Smiles

28 |