Talmud, Taanit 5b  | A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty, and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water...
19 Comments Posted

This is a very beautiful story, about men.... Indeed giving a blessing to someone whose deeds are righteous, that his children shall grow up as himself is a very beautiful and complimenting blessing... May we all merit to receive a blessing like the one was given to the tree in the story and our children should grow up in good merits with good merits.
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I'm a new user of the Internet & often struggle to nav it successfully, for I'm blind & use a screen reader to traverse the internet's visual environment. I also struggle to find meaningful content. Finding this site & this story was a blessing; a pearl amongst the rocks.
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what kind of tree was cited in this story?
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The Talmud just says, "a tree," without telling is its species.
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what does this story mean?
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We should find the tree producing more fruit trees through its seed.. In other words, we should find more people coming to the Tree of Life which is Torah. We will then find more "sprouting" blossoming Torah scholars. Man is analogous to a tree, more specifically to a fig tree. We should NEVER wither a fig tree, that is like cutting down a man. Figs give off fruit honey. (It takes patience to gather the fig honey, but well worth the time it takes to get the enjoyment of its sweet successes)
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The tree represents us, and how we are to act. Do we offer food, shade and water to the needy? The seeds represent our Children, and if we teach them to care for those who G-D directes us then we will be leading our Children to follow our example, and do what is right before G-D as well.
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The man who is tired is man who spends his time in worldly pursuits. He lives in the desert just like our forefathers. Like them too he is rescued by Torah. The Torah is the Tree that flourishes in an oasis there in the wilderness. Its water are the many connections that are made between man and G-d, its fruit are the many midrashim that our sages continue to make and it's shade is the protection that Torah offers to those seeking shelter from the mundane world.
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Wow.What a fabulous story.Short,concise and full of wisdom.I've been faithfully doing daily tehillim and now daily davening and hebrew study.This story made me want to see what else in the Talmud that I am missing out on by not studying it.My 11 yr old just started learning Talmud at school this year...the more I learn..the more I want to learn...thanks for having so much on this website to access!
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What a beautiful inspiring story and lovely artwork too. The tree always seems real to me and it had everything the man needed.It's great to see that your tradtition has so much info on this subject at the side and will get into this next. Have just recommended your site on my Bebo Page to my close friends and mentioned they would feel the presence of God once they began reading here or hear any of the Rabbi's speak the 'Word'....Truly Amazing..I respect all trees and am blessed to have two lovely trees, one at the back and one at front where God moved me to.. My last place they chopped the tree down instead of clipping it and it was a lovely tree..It died but plenty more will grow and hopefully the world will respect the 'Tree' symbolizing for me the Tree of Life..I mention this in one of my songs at the end.the Spirit and the Water, and the Tree, the Tree of Life..feel close to God just being able to see the picture and read the great story....thanks!
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We were asked to find a story to do with what Jews believe about the evironment for home work. I've been looking for ages and this is the perfect one! Thanks
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the tree is a symbol of family, network ur relationships, a man s achievements and accomplishments would mean nothing if there is no reproducibity and transfer. Perpetuation of values, wealth, success is thus pertinent in building and promoting sustainable development.
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Who planted the garden?
Was the man invited to eat from the fruit of the tree?
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So the Tree of Life is The Torah..I was inspired to paint a mystical tree which had fingers and little faces within the fingers out of the blue some time back and am pleased to read the comments about the Tree being The Torah..perhaps I'm being called to promote this on my sites so glad I put this Tree Painting up just recently...it's so easy just to 'think singly' but reading this I feel 'connected' to ALL on here..
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Let us bless everyone as this traveller did.
Pass on all the blessings you have received
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I totally agree with Mark Siet 3/5/09 and ML Suriano on 7/4/09..I feel at home in Chabad.org and promoe this on my Blog and reason why..G-d has thanked me by sending people my way in the music industry who wish to use 'The Tree' I painted'..I called it the Mystic Tree of Life but always mention much is to be learned in Chabad.org and that a lot of what I learned in here G-d had already revlealed to me in person over the years before guiding me to th eplace I call 'home'...This is my Tree of Life Here and other sites of Chabad.org...many bracnhes you have and one strong Tree..I feel G-d presence as any of the Rabbi's speak especially Aher Crispe and have been trying to keep patient and listen inwards...lots more to learn on here..Thank-you
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I want to know how a tree represents man and woman. I know the trunk stands for a body. The branches stand for our limbs. That is all I know. Tell me more if you can.
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Beautiful story, and so is the painting. I thank Hashem, blessed be He, for the Tree of Life. And for this beautiful garden. Hoping that we all come to the realization that as this man in the story blelssess the Tree for its fruits so that we all bless one another for their good deeds to one another.This will bring Mashiach sooner. Amen.
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