Page 38 - HaMizrachi TuBiShvat 5784 North America

Tu BiShvat in Challenging Times

Confidence about the Future Rooted in Appreciation of the Past

Rabbi Reuven Taragin

t first glance, Tu BiShvat, the Rosh Unlike annuals, which produce fruit for then fell asleep for seventy years. When
Hashanah for fruit trees (Rosh only one season and then die over the he awoke, Choni met the man’s grandson,
Hashanah 1:1–2), is of mere tech- winter, trees regenerate each spring and who was enjoying the fruits of his grand-
Anical significance – the calendar once again generate fruit. The celebration father’s labor (Ta’anit 23a).
marker for a new cycle of fruits. Surpris- of the Rosh Hashanah for trees in the What is the relationship between Choni’s
ingly, though, we treat Tu BiShvat as a middle of the winter emphasizes this spe- study of the verse of redemption and the
minor holiday on which we skip tachanun cial trait. Though trees seem dead on Tu man who planted trees for his grand-
and avoid fasting. What are we celebrating BiShvat, in truth, they are about to begin children? Choni wonders about sleeping
on Tu BiShvat? a new growth cycle. Iyov adds that a tree for seventy years and the connection to
It is also noteworthy that we celebrate also has “hope” – even if most of it is cut redemption. Tree planting is the answer.
only the Rosh Hashanah of trees and not down, it can grow back. Redemption comes when we work for
that of other plants. Why are trees more The Jewish people are similarly resilient. our people’s future in this Land. We finish
important than other vegetation? The Unlike other nations, which rise and planting before greeting Mashiach because
answer lies in the Torah’s parallel between then fade forever, the Jewish people have the faith expressed by planting trees is
man and tree. returned to prominence after two millen- what brings him.
nia of exile and persecution. Throughout In exile, Jews traditionally lacked the moti-
Our relation to trees Jewish history, we experienced many vation to invest in trees and other infra-
The Torah justifies the prohibition against periods of suffering, but they were always structure. But in Israel, we must remember
using a fruit tree as a battering ram by followed by success and growth. After that we are now home – in a place that is
explaining that “man is like a tree of the the Holocaust, we were in a desperate our own where our descendants will iy”H
field” (Devarim 20:19). In what way is man state. But Hashem comforted us with the continue living. We express this apprecia-
like a tree? miraculous founding of the State of Israel, tion by planting trees for them.
which has fostered our people’s physical
The Maharal uses the next chapter in and spiritual rejuvenation. Many around the world are once again
Devarim to explain the comparison. When challenging our rights to the Land. On Tu
faced with an unsolved murder, the elders On Simchat Torah, we experienced such a BiShvat, we appreciate our return to Israel
are required to sacrifice a calf that has low. On Tu BiShvat, let’s remember that, and reaffirm our faith in our eternal rela-
never plowed in a ravine that has never like trees, we too will flower again and tionship with it by enjoying the fruits of
been plowed. Chazal explain that we sac- reach even greater heights. our ancestors’ labor and investing in the
rifice the calf’s potential productivity in Land for our descendants.
order to atone for the lost potential “fruit” Planting trees – believing in redemption
of the murder victim, who can no longer Avot D’Rebbe Natan states that one who
raise a family nor fulfill mitzvot (Sotah 46a). hears of Mashiach’s arrival while planting
Humans, like trees, have creative poten- should finish planting and only then greet
tial. We are commanded to value a fruit Mashiach (Nuscha Bet, 31). Why is finishing Scan here to join Rabbi Taragin’s
tree’s productive potential to ensure that planting more important than greeting daily Divrei Torah WhatsApp group
we value our own. This is why an unsolved Mashiach?
murder requires atonement. We respond to Choni Hame’agel studied the famous verse
the disregard for the value of human life that describes our redemption: “When
with a ritual that reminds us of every living Hashem returns us to Zion, we were like
being’s potential and the need to respect its dreamers.” He wondered whether it was
realization (Maharal, Tiferet Yisrael 3). Tu possible for a person to sleep for seventy
BiShvat also reminds us of the “fruit” we years, the length of the first exile. One day,
can produce. As long as G-d grants us the Choni met a man planting a carob tree.
gift of life, we must maximize it. Knowing that it takes seventy years for Rabbi Reuven Taragin
such a tree to produce fruit, Choni asked is Educational Director of Mizrachi
The resilience of the Jewish people the man why he was planting a tree whose and Dean of the Yeshivat Hakotel
The Jewish people are similar to trees in fruits he would never enjoy. The man Overseas Program.
another way. Yishayahu HaNavi equates answered that just as he enjoyed the fruits
Jewish history to “the days of a tree” of trees planted by earlier generations, he, A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
mizrachi.org/speakers
(65:22). How are they similar? too, was planting for future ones. Choni

38 |