Weekly Dvar Torah: Roots, Branches, Leaves and Fruits
Yekatrinoslav, Ukraine, 1932.
Word got out that the Rav of the city, Harav Levi Yitzchock Schneerson, was going to deliver a Drasha on Shabbos, 15th of Shvat, Rosh Hashana for the trees. This was highly unusual. Reb Levik was not a speechmaker, all his talks were deep Torah lectures that were mostly above the level of most of the city dwellers, but this time it was announced that he will deliver a speech for the entire town.
The anticipation was high, what is it that the Rav wants to tell us? The holiday of Chamisha Asar Bishvat was not necessarily a date highly celebrated by Chassidim. Besides the fact that under the communist regime, celebrating Tu Bishvat was not exactly acceptable, as it was highly celebrated by the Zionists who were despised by the Russians. So, what is this Drasha supposed to be all about?
The Shul was packed to capacity, with standing room only. Whoever was able to make his way into the Shul was there. The tension was high, what will the Rav tell us on this day?
The Rav started his speech:
“It is cold outside, the weather is frigid, one cannot go outside without being wrapped in a good warm fur coat. The trees are standing barren, without any leaves or fruits, there is no sign of life to the seemingly dry bark and trunk. Why are we celebrating the New Year for trees? What is there to celebrate at this time?”
The Rav answered his own question; “it is in faraway Eretz Yisroel, the sun is shining, and there the trees are starting to blossom.
“True, here and now it is cold and frigid, it is dangerous to walk around without proper protection, but we have a vision, we are connected to another place, we strive and we hope to join that place, and there the sun shines and the trees are starting to bloom.
“This recognition and the vision and hope should reinvigorate and empower us to overcome the cold, because we are connected to a warm place where the trees are already blooming. This is what we are celebrating on the New Year for the trees.”
Everybody understood. The streets under communism were very cold; it was dangerous to be a Jew, but by keeping our mind and our eyes on the goal, this dream of one day going to Eretz Yisroel where we can easily be good Jews, should keep us going until the day comes when we will all be warm and surrounded by blossoming and fruit growing trees of beautiful and delicious Jews.
The entire community was inspired and energized. The Rav has spoken.
Our Rebbe once added an explanation to his father’s question; “on Tu Bishvat we celebrate our potential. At this time the trees don’t show their leaves and fruits, but deep inside, they are starting to grow and in a short while they will all come out in full bloom.”
A Tree consists of three main components. The roots. The trunk. And the fruits.
The roots are hidden deep in the ground, but they are most important to keep the tree standing and growing. Any weakness in the roots will destroy the tree.
The trunk is the body of the tree, this is what identifies the tree. The bark and the leaves tell the story of the tree. This is how we tell the age of the tree, and we see the tree alive and producing.
The fruits are the ultimate results of the tree. They give nourishment and pleasure to the world, and they contain seeds that will continue to grow more trees forever and ever.
Emunah, faith in Hashem, is the root that keeps a Jew alive. It is rooted and hidden deep down in the subconscious of a Jew, but without it a Jew cannot survive.
The trunk is the identity of the Jew, this is what he is. He keeps Torah and Mitzvos, and he does good deeds. This is what you see, a standing Jew.
The fruits are the children, physical or spiritual, this is what a Jew produces, a legacy that he passes on to children and children’s children, and to students whom he influences to grow forever and ever.
This is what Rosh Hashana for the trees teaches us in the middle of the cold winter. Even if you see a barren tree, know that there is tremendous potential coming, and this will bloom and grow forever and ever. This is what we celebrate, happy new year potential.
Have a maximized potential of a Shabbos,
Gut Shabbos
Rabbi Yosef Katzman
