Torah is a tree of life for all who grasp it. (Proverbs 3:18)
You may remember from Hebrew School... once a year you'd get a little bag with some raisins, dates, and carob (the hard, brown fruit sometimes known as boxer). And you'd collect money to plant trees in Israel. That was Tu B'Shvat.
Of course, there's a deeper meaning behind the holiday, beyond that 13-year-old's view of Judaism!
TO THE SOURCE
The source for Tu B'Shvat is the opening statement of the Talmudic Tractate Rosh Hashana: The Academy of Hillel taught that the 15th of Shvat is the New Year for the Trees.
What does that mean, New Year for the Trees? Do all the cedars and pines get together, make resolutions to improve themselves, and dip apples in honey?!
Of course not. Tu B'Shvat is technically the day when trees stop absorbing water from the ground, and instead draw nourishment from their sap. In Jewish law, this means that fruit which has blossomed prior to the 15th of Shvat could not be used as tithe for fruit which blossomed after that date.
So what relevance does this have for us in the 21st century?
In various places, the Torah compares a person to a tree:
- A person is like the tree of a field... (Deut. 20:19)
- For as the days of a tree shall be the days of my people. (Isaiah 65:22)
- He will be like a tree planted near water... (Jeremiah 17:8)
Why the comparison?
A tree needs the four basic elements in order to survive -- soil, water, air, and fire (sun). Human beings also require the same basic elements. Let's examine these, one at a time:
SOIL
A tree needs to be planted firmly in the earth. The soil is not only the source through which nourishment is absorbed, but also provides room for the roots to grow.
This is true of a person as well. The Talmud explains:
A person whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds is likened to a tree whose branches are numerous, but whose roots are few. The wind comes and uproots it and turns it upside down.
But a person whose good deeds exceed his wisdom is likened to a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous. Even if all the winds of the world were to come and blow against it, they could not budge it from its place. (Avot 3:22)
A person can appear successful on the outside, with full branches and a fancy car. But if the roots are few -- if there is little connection to one's community and heritage -- then life can send challenges that are impossible to withstand. A strong wind can turn the tree upside down. A person alone is vulnerable to trends and fads that may lead to despair and destruction.
But if a person -- irrespective of wealth and status -- is connected to community and heritage, then even if all the winds of the world were to come and blow against it, they could not budge it from its place.
Humans require a strong home base, where values and morals are absorbed, and which provides a supportive growth environment. In a world rife with negativity; we need a filter, a safe haven to return to and refresh. A community provides an impervious shield -- the soil where we can be ourselves, make our mistakes, and still be accepted, loved and nourished.
WATER
Rain-water is absorbed into the ground and -- through an elaborate system of roots -- is carried throughout the trunk, branches and leaves of the tree. Without water, the tree will whither and die.
The Torah is compared to water, as Moses proclaims: May my teaching drop like the rain (Deut. 32:2). Both rain and Torah descend from the heavens and provide relief to the thirsty and parched. The Torah flows down from God and has been absorbed by Jews in every generation. Torah gives zest and vitality to the human spirit. A life based on Torah will blossom with wisdom and good deeds.
Deprived of water, a person will become dehydrated and ultimately disoriented, even to the point where they may not be able to recognize their own father. So too, without Torah, a person becomes disoriented -- to the extent they may not even recognize their Father in Heaven, the Almighty God of Israel.
AIR
A tree needs air to survive. The air contains oxygen that a tree needs for respiration, and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. In an imbalanced atmosphere, the tree would suffocate and die.
The Torah (Genesis 2:7) states that God breathed life into the form of Man. The Hebrew word for breath -- nesheema -- is the same as the word for soul -- neshama. Our spiritual life force comes, metaphorically, by way of air and respiration.
We use our senses of taste, touch and sight to perceive physical matter. (Even hearing involves the perception of sound waves.) But smelling is the most spiritual of senses, since the least physical matter is involved. As the Talmud says (Brachot 43b): Smell is that which the soul benefits from, and the does body not.
In the Holy Temple, the incense offering (sense of smell) was elevated to the once-a-year Yom Kippur offering in the Holy of Holies. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 93a) also says that when the Messiah comes, he will smell and judge -- that is, he will use his spiritual sensitivity to determine the truth about complex matters.
FIRE
A tree also needs fire -- sunlight -- to survive. The absorption of energy from the light activates the process of photosynthesis, a chemical reaction that is essential for the growth and health of the tree.
Humans also need fire -- warmth -- to survive. This is the warmth of friendship and community. People absorb the energy of peers, friends, family, neighbors and associates -- and channel that into identity and actions. All the essential observances and ceremonies of Judaism are based on family and community -- from the celebration of birth, through the attainment of maturity, marriage, education, and even death.
The power of community is illustrated in the following Talmudic story:
An old man was planting a tree. A young person passed by and asked, What are you planting?
A carob tree, the old man replied.
Silly fool, said the youth. Don't you know that it takes 70 years for a carob tree to bear fruit?
That's okay, said the old man. Just as others planted for me, I plant for future generations.
A TIME TO GROW
This year on Tu B'Shvat, as you're gnawing that slab of carob, ask yourself:
Am I getting the spiritual food and shelter I need to survive, or is my tree being blown down by the forces of information overload and rampant materialism?
Am I part of a strong Jewish community, providing a warm and nurturing environment? Or am I cast into the pale bleak anonymity of urban life and cyberspace?
Am I looking to future generations knowing that I am providing them with the proper foundations for their lives?
(27) Robert, March 27, 2021 2:23 PM
Thank You
I appreciate this information. It has added more understanding of life.
(26) Bridget Kildare, September 26, 2012 2:05 AM
What if there is a correlation between human life and trees? When a child is born a new tree sprouts- when a tree dies, a human dies. If a tree is cut down a human dies or is murdered. If a tree is ruined in an accidenythe same... Our connection with trees is very strong God has stated specifics in these quotes.
(25) Lou Kraus, February 7, 2012 12:22 PM
Tree of Life
What tree is most often mentioned or is most closely identified with this idea?
(24) Elisabeth Soros, February 5, 2012 8:03 PM
Man is tree
G- know, what we are needing: Study the Torah all the time and we are going to know ALL the secrets to grow and to be wise,knowladable people in all aspect in our life.Unfortunately we are keeping to forget this.!
(23) AriAdler, January 27, 2010 3:33 AM
Just to add
Another addition: The comparison of a tree to a human is part of the commandment not to cut down a fruit tree. It is forbidden to cut down the productive parts of tree leaving the stump. So too if you dont focus on the important things and only focus on the unimportant, this is "hashchasa" - the word for the prohibition of cutting fruit trees. It means destruction. If you focus on the positive elements and get rid of distractions, this is "zmirah" - literally, pruning - cutting away weak branches so that the tree can grow. The word zmirah also means song as in "mizmor ledavid."
(22) Anonymous, January 17, 2010 8:46 PM
to my heart
every shabath we read ; it is a tree of life to them that grasp it, and that uphold to HASHEM
(21) Jossef, January 14, 2010 4:07 PM
Excellent article about the central points of Tu Bishvat
One more great article from Rabbi Simmons; I read all his Torah commentaries and other articles; he always knows how to address the essential points of a topic.
(20) noahpanis, February 2, 2009 12:14 AM
it is amazing
it is amazing to see/know. I'm blessed.
(19) Marcy Kern, July 26, 2006 12:00 AM
An inspiring article...much to learn from it.
(18) Anonymous, February 12, 2006 12:00 AM
Main purpose of a tree
Just to add to that great D'var Torah. The main purpose of a tree is to give fruits/seeds who will then grow to be other trees who will then have fruits of their own. Just like man has to always positively influence his fellow jews. In fact he must affect them to the extent that they too become a source of inspiration to others
(17) Jackie Henser, March 14, 2005 12:00 AM
An Emotional, Spiritual Lecture
It is amazing to see the connection made; I was truely inspired. My pondering mind surfs wildly on waves of imagination just by the thought of it. This is one of the best pieces of work i have ever read. One word: Wow. I never would have thought of anything as creative and inspirational. A MUST READ!!!
(16) Jill, January 25, 2005 12:00 AM
Essential life requirements
I just love this email. It has inspired me and has given me much food for thought. Who would ever have imagined that a tree and a life could be so connected? Driving in the streets or walking down the road, who would possibly give time in ones day thinking about a tree, when trees are the source of life? We all seem to get wrapped up in things that do not matter such as making ends meet. Our ends will always meet because God's hand will always be there to help us. Instead we should just have faith and believe that everything is as it is at this moment because it has to be! It is the small things in life that are important. It is the trees that create beauty and give us our oxygen to breathe...it is the clouds that gather in the skies that send water to the earth....it is about the birds and butterflies and colourful flowers that fill our lives...how on earth can we forget all these amazing things? It is because of all these things that creates peace and harmony in our lives and it is because of our roots (just as in trees) that remind us of who we are and from where we came. It is all part and parcel of the same thing. All we have to do is but notice and we will transcend into the beautiful world of nature in which God has created! This is called becoming "aware" and from this ones growth begins.
(15) ilan, January 25, 2005 12:00 AM
excellent.
(14) Reuben, January 24, 2005 12:00 AM
a nice 'bit'....reminding us of what we are here for... when it comes to community and hashem... thank you
(13) Michal, January 22, 2005 12:00 AM
life in the pale bleak anonymity...
Dear Rabbi Shraga, you are right with everything you wrote.
But sometimes the circumstances are like that (and you are not able to change things like you want to) and you have to live in that pale bleak anonymity. But the Almighty can be with you and find you and comfort you even in the farest corner of the earth.
And when your soul has the feeling it is going to die, then exact at that moment you find AISH HA TORAH in the Internet and from that moment on you are nurtured and watered. Your roots are taking halt again and the leaves are coming out of that nearly dead tree. Therefore I would say; "Aish ha Torah" is the gardener, sent by G-d
to help those nearly dead trees to bring them back to life again. Getting to know Aish ha Torah was one of the happiest moments of my life.
May G-d bless your work always.
(12) Matthew, February 7, 2004 12:00 AM
This was very insightful. I will down load it for my wife and family. Thank you.
(11) Anonymous, February 1, 2004 12:00 AM
This is wonderful-inspiring, in fact. As a Jew coming back to her roots, I'm sucking up all I can to connect with Hashem. Thanks!
(10) liatt e., January 26, 2004 12:00 AM
aish.com is my daily vitamin
Being a mother of 3 it's so easy not to have time to learn and open up a book like i used to do when i was single. Reading all of the stories and topics of tu b'shvat, the parsha, and all the yomim tovim help me to focus on real life and what we are here for, and helps me appreciate even more all of the brochos i have from my family. thank you so much
(9) Anonymous, January 26, 2004 12:00 AM
The idea that man is a tree is great and very spiritualy informative and so are the illustrations used, but the “tree” is empty and dead if he leaves aside G-d’s presence in his life, and G-d isn’t the main focus on. Who created the world? Who created us? Everything was been made by Him and without Him nothing would have been made.
(8) Sarah Ruth, January 25, 2004 12:00 AM
Let the Yetzer ha'tov crush the bad Yetzer ha'ra roots?
Rabbi Shraga Simmons,
I totally appreciated reading this article. This Tu B'Shvat I am examining my own tree in my own bakyard.
How is it's foundation, how healthy are my branches. Am I giving it the proper food and nourishment? ...or am I neglecting my tree. Are my roots healthy? Am I saying no to my yetzer ha'ra when it rears it's ugly head? Not near enough as I should.
Thank you R'Simmons for speaking to my heart and soul through this article.
Sarah Ruth
(7) Gloria Goverman, January 18, 2004 12:00 AM
Very informative
I am a reformed Jew who has a desire to learn more deaply. I also teach for a Conservative Synagauge.I previouly took classes at the Board of Education, Rockville,MD.
(6) Priscila Argueta, January 7, 2004 12:00 AM
Every day I learn more about Judaism, Thank you for lighting my life every day.
(5) Anonymous, January 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Trees and Community
For an upcoming program on Shabbat Mispatim, I have chosen the theme "Eitz Chayim Hee". Thank you for showing me how my unconscious choice is part of our collective heritage--a poetic response to Torah and Yiddishkeit.
(4) Leslie Gordon, January 8, 2003 12:00 AM
No matter how much I know there's always more that's what I love about Judaism
I not only enjoyed learning this interpretation but intend to pass it on to the parents of the 3's I teach in pre-school!
(3) Miriam F. Leiseroff, January 6, 2003 12:00 AM
Wonderful material.
I was very impressed with the excerpts and decided to buy the book. I have been conducting a Tu B'Shevat seder every year in our shul for the last 5 years and this material will bring something different to our seder this year. I am sure I will find more text in the book to enhance our seders for years to come.
(2) ben gruen, January 5, 2003 12:00 AM
How man and trees are alike
I liked this article because I learned alot.
(1) Chana Veffer, January 1, 2003 12:00 AM
Excellent article
You always provide me with wonderful material. Thank you.