As Devorah is busy preparing for what will no doubt be a beautiful evening for the women this Sunday (sorry guys - it's a Girls Night Out), I stopped for a moment to reflect on what it is that we are celebrating.
Tu B’shvat - the Jewish Birthday of the trees. Any Mitzvah connected to the age of a tree, is determined by whether the tree was planted before or after this day.
Yet although it is of course vital that we are mindful of the environment, and take care of the beautiful world in which we live, there must be something deeper, giving cause to celebrate. There must be a reason why it is a day dedicated to trees, though there are many beautiful parts of nature, such as mountains, rivers and more.
It says in the Torah that “Man is compared to the tree of the field”. As people, we grow. As people we are not own existence, rather just as a tree bears fruit, we are able to do good deeds, to effect others, positively impacting the world.
This relates to why we invest so much effort into education and raising children to be upstanding and compassionate citizens, and engaged members in the Jewish community.
If a grown tree gets a nick or scratch, it hardly has an effect on the overall health of the tree. However if a young sapling is scratched, the entire tree can grow crooked. In our lives, as a child is in his or her formative years, the slightest influences can really make a difference.
Let’s think about how we can grow, and how we can foster a healthier experience for our children. Whether it’s a a good word to someone who is down, an act of kindness, a taste of Shabbat, or joining “Kids in the Kitchen”.
With wishes for a Happy Birthday Trees! May it be a year of growth for us all!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush