There is no better parable in my eyes to parenting a child than tending a seed into a tree. We are entrusted with a precious seed from God to help see it develop and grow. We do not choose its type, we do not control its process of growth; we just do our best to give it what it needs to grow and flourish, and sit back and watch. This perhaps is why the Hebrew word for offspring is “zerah” – which means seed.
Some of us are handed seeds that need little talent and attention to grow, while others were entrusted with a bit more complex seed. We must not become frustrated and upset at the seed or the One who handed it to us, but rather embrace our role in our special mission. Certainly screaming at the seed, “What’s a matter with you? Why can’t you grow already?” will only retard its development.
We don’t control if and when our children will grow. Our objective is to give them as much nourishment as we can. We embrace them for who they are. We show them how beautiful the Torah is. We water. We provide sunshine. Just because you don’t see immediate growth does not mean nothing is happening right now.
When we see a plant break the surface of the ground, things did not begin to happen now. They have been happening months before; just it is not visible to the naked eye. Year after year I see a boy in twelfth grade who is learning and growing while he was performing poorly in eleventh. Did he just wake up now? No! It just took time until he was ready to process all the internal growth and development into external action.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains most beautifully that herein lies the significance of the holiday of Tu B’Shvat. As he articulates in his poetic style: "Though still in the middle of the bleak embrace of winter, the gentle murmur of the awakening spring begins its hidden work. In the core and the arterial network of the trees, silently and softly, hidden from casual view, the new sap flows announcing the coming of spring."
Parenthetically, I think if we were more in touch with the real growth process of our children and people in general, we would pick up on our child’s true internal state. A parent will tell me that they don’t see any significant change; just maybe he is showing a little more courtesy at home. At that point I become excited and say, “Wow, that’s great. That’s a sign of real internal growth taking place. He is maturing. With God's help, we will see more to come.” Conversely, we would notice negative things brewing far before they are out in the open and thus be able to intervene and help earlier.
As parents and educators our focus should not be on producing fruit; our focus should be on nurturing the seed. If one manipulates the tree in an unhealthy way to produce fruit sooner than it is ready, its long term production and most often even its short term will suffer. We must focus on giving plenty of water and sunshine, and allow each child to blossom in his way and at his time.
Every display of love is another ray of sunlight. Every positive word is another drop of water. Every positive experience contributes to the realization of the seed’s potential. And conversely, every negative experience does damage.
We are certainly living in turbulent times. The storms around us are blowing stronger and stronger winds. While we should do our best to block whatever winds we can, the only real and long term solution is by developing a tree with deeper and stronger roots. We must do our best to implant each child with a great sense of self worth and love for Torah. If not, he is at risk to being blown away by the storms. He has no roots keeping him attached to the ground.
Parents and educators must firmly believe in the potency of every seed they were handed. They must be confident that if they give it everything it needs to flourish, it will ultimately blossom it a wondrous tree that will bear beautiful fruit, for it will. There may be a long winter stretch where nothing has broken the surface, but they must realize that their efforts are not in vain. They are cultivating growth. We should bear in mind that sometimes the most precious fruit take the longest to ripen.
(7) yakov yoel, January 17, 2014 1:42 AM
bauoss
This article is amazing and all of your other articles are as well superb and teach how one should really be mechanech our children .Rabbi kestenbaum has a life changing new book "the heart of parenting" its a must read.
(6) talmid, January 17, 2014 1:39 AM
must read for any parent
Rebbe, you nailed it again! we are often so superficial and counter-productive when it comes to chinuch- the points made here are amazing, thank you rebbe! everyone should spend whatever time and money necessary to buy "the heart of parenting"- it is priceless..
(5) Naomi in Belize, January 16, 2014 12:14 PM
This is a beautiful, very needed insight. I can affirm that the future generation that has been entrusted to me will benefit because of my having read this this morning. I thank Rabbi Moshe Don Kestenbaum and all at Aish.com for this blessing, B"H.
(4) Joe, January 15, 2014 5:33 PM
Big fan!
Wow once again a well written piece by Rabbi Kestenbaum. His ability to properly understand children and their strong points is astounding. His masterful insights in Chinuch are world renowned. His deep understanding of today's challenges in chinuch and outside influences are apparent in his book "The heart of parenting". A must read for a parent in 2014!
(3) pessie, January 14, 2014 11:06 PM
thank you
Not only is this a beautiful thought but a beautifully written article as well. Thank you.
(2) RWeisz, January 14, 2014 9:08 AM
Question
Thank you a lot for this beautiful article.
But I stay with the question what kind of "wind" you mean which is "getting stronger and stronger" and we have to block out of our lives. In many texts we have to read about something "bad outside" which we have to fight and block. Somehow this really disturbes me. Is there no other way to strengthen ourselves but through assignment?
moshe don kestenbaum, January 14, 2014 2:38 PM
author's response
Thank you RWeisz,
The winds I am referring to are the winds of immorality that keep getting stronger as the media and internet expose things that never would have been tolerated years ago. We should certainly try to protect our children from exposure to that which we feel is inappropriate, for example, a filter on our computer. However the mistake many parents and educators make is to rely on protecting and not focus enough on building. Our children will ultimately have access to things we wish they wouldn't and only if we have imbued in them strong morals and character can they withstand the onslaught of today's challenges. May we have much nachas from our children!
talmid, January 17, 2014 1:55 AM
ashreinu that we have you rebbe.. hakaras hatov- thank you rebbe!
YH
(1) Richard L, January 13, 2014 2:54 PM
It's so true
Thank you Rabbi Moshe for this article. I just need it to develop a good relationship with our son. I think I put much emphasis on the fruit without thinking much about the seed. Now I can see the hope and feel my hard work and patience will bear good fruits.
The other part I like and feel so true is that we can not control its process of growth. I have met many painful situation that I could not control.
Thank you for making me more patient, inspired, confident to be a good father.
RL