Page 30 - HaMizrachi #6 TuBishvat 5779

Rabbi Berel Wein

My Orchid Plant

mong my many failings is grateful to have that opportunity. The mere flower served as both challenge
the fact that I do not have a Torah itself indicates that humans have and comfort.
A green thumb. Plants and I do much to learn from nature – both the
not agree and sometimes I feel that animal and plant kingdoms – and that I realize that even orchid plants do not
the plants I have in my home are just only a fool would ignore these lessons bloom forever. All things in this world
downright hostile to me. The care of built into G-d’s creation. are finite. Yet this awareness does not
these plants and the reason they have dampen my enthusiasm at seeing my
survived so long has always been due I have an orchid plant in my home orchid plant blossom and give bloom
to the distaff side of my home. I very that has been dormant for well over a once again. The plant does not seem to
much enjoy flowers and plants and year. The woman that helps clean and be overly concerned about its ultimate
I see in them some of the bountiful keep my house orderly proposed that future and demise. Meanwhile, it
goodness and pleasure the L-rd has I dispose of it since it obviously was does what it is supposed to do –
arranged for humans in this world. no longer going to revive itself and produce beautiful flowers for human
produce flowers. I told her that it had enjoyment.
So I persist in watering and caring done so in the past and that I would
for the plants in my house despite hang onto it, if only for sentimental That is also a great lesson to those
my bumbling efforts to keep them reasons. haunted by a sense of mortality and
sprightly or at least alive. The only finiteness. In Proverbs again, King
exception to this seemingly endless The plant must have heard that Solomon, in describing the great
tale of frustration is the orchid plants. wake-up call and a couple of weeks woman of valor, states “she is able to
They require very little care and that later, it showed the first signs of laugh even to the last day.” We do not
is what they receive. Their flowers reincarnation. It sprouted bulbs and see anything humorous about the last
are absolutely magnificent and their recently gave birth to the first beautiful day. But the deeper meaning is that
presence has a soothing effect on my orchid flower. I was deeply touched while we have not yet arrived at the
rabbinic nerves. by the event for it highlighted the last day, we have to pursue our mission
continuity of life, one of Judaism’s and task in life, do what we have to do,
And the greatest thing about orchid most basic values. with enthusiasm and joy rather than
plants is that after they shed their doom and foreboding.
flowers they do not die but they We all pass through difficult and
remain dormant, sometimes for more sad times. In the words of Proverbs, The gift of life and resilience the L-rd
than a year, and then suddenly revive we all, “fall seven times.” But we are has planted within us is what makes
themselves and begin to produce commanded to rise again to continue, life so magical while giving it the scent
the bulbs that will then yield their for the challenges and difficulties of of eternity. I am very grateful to my
beautiful flowers. life are inescapable. The strength and orchid plant for this opportune lesson.
resilience G-d built into human beings
I love to watch this process for it gives must be exploited by continuing to do
me a sense of revival and resilience. acts of kindness, mercy and justice. Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of
There is a great human lesson to be Watching my orchid plant bloom again Beit Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem and
learned from the orchid plant and I am brought this attitude home to me… a Director of the Destiny Foundation

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