Page 6 - HaMizrachi Tu BiShvat 5782 - USA

A Time to Reap

and a Time to Plant

Once More!

Rabbi Ari Rockoff

lmost 2,000 years ago, the camps and concentration camps. After the tree’s strength that lies in its roots,
Mishnah taught us that the the war, they immigrated to America, Arie and Sam Halpern are planters who
new year for trees – the date established their families and built understood that we must plant trees
A that determines tithing – is successful businesses. to provide shade and fruit to the next
the 15th of Shevat, or, as we’ve come The harrowing experience of the Holo- generation.
to call it, Tu BiShvat. Trees are a sur- caust did not diminish Arie and Sam’s
prisingly central symbol in Judaism. After 120 years, we are blessed to
The very center of Adam and Chava’s strong character and values. In 1957, the stand beneath an extraordinary tree
of Religious Zionism. But we are not
brothers sold their supermarket chain
experience in Gan Eden, indeed the first
moral and religious dilemma faced by and entered the real estate market to done planting. Like the parable of the
be able to keep Shabbat. And after their
Talmud, the greatest blessing that can
human beings, was a tree! Amazingly, families, the brothers’ deepest love was
in Avot D’Rebbi Natan, Rabbi Yochanan the State of Israel. They never stopped be given to Mizrachi is that its current
and future iterations – its “saplings” –
ben Zakkai teaches that if one is plant- supporting its institutions, and both
ing a sapling when Mashiach arrives, continue in its founding spirit.
one should finish planting it before went on to serve in key leadership roles This Tu BiShvat marks 120 years of
with RZA–Mizrachi.
greeting him. planting the Jewish future in Eretz
In Masechet Ta’anit, the Talmud poses Yisrael and in the Diaspora, 120 years of
It is appropriate, then, that Mizrachi’s
120th anniversary celebration is begin- an interesting question – how does one fulfilling Mizrachi’s mission of inspir-
properly bless a tree from which they
ning now, at the time of Tu BiShvat. It have benefited? ing commitment to Torah, the Jewish
is said that a tree’s strength lies in its people, and the Land of Israel. Without
roots, and Mizrachi’s roots run deep. Tree, tree, how shall I bless you? If I say planters like the Halperns, we could
In this issue of HaMizrachi, we have that your fruits should be sweet, your not have made it to this monumental
the opportunity to reflect on some of fruits are already sweet; if I say that milestone. But now more than ever, our
those roots, including the contributions your shade should be pleasant, your people need more trees. As you read
of Arie and Sam Halpern, zichronam shade is already pleasant; if I say that a through this issue, and as we celebrate
livracha. stream of water should flow under you, an extraordinary past and a bright
a stream of water already flows under future, ask yourself how you can plant
Arie and Sam were born to devout Chor- a tree for Mizrachi this Tu BiShvat.
tkover chassidim in pre-war Poland. As you. Rather, I bless you as follows: May it
be G-d’s will that all saplings which they
teenagers, the brothers became active plant from you be like you (Ta’anit 6a). Tu BiShvat Sameach!
in the Zionist group HaNoar HaTzioni
and dreamed of seeing a Jewish state Mizrachi’s history is a storied one. We
one day. Despite losing almost 60 mem- begin the celebration of its 120th year
bers of their family in the Holocaust, by highlighting some of those who Rabbi Ari Rockoff is the Executive Vice
the brothers survived ghettos, labor planted our roots deep in the soil. Like President of RZA–Mizrachi. rockoff@rza.org

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