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Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Tu B’Shevat » Man and Tree » The Tree
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The Tree


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. He ate of the fruit, drank of the water, and rested beneath the shade.

When he was about to leave he turned to the tree and said: 'Tree, oh, tree, with what should I bless you?

"Should I bless you that your fruit be sweet? Your fruit is already sweet.

"Should I bless you that your shade be plentiful? Your shade is plentiful. That a spring of water should run beneath you? A spring of water runs beneath you."

"There is one thing with which I can bless you: May it be G-d's will that all the trees planted from your seed should be like you..."

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Talmud, Taanit 5b
Image: detail from an illustration by Chassidic artist Michoel Muchnik.

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Latest Comments:
Posted: Feb 8, 2012
The Tree
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.
Posted By Anonymous, Mesa, Arizona, USA

Posted: Feb 7, 2012
Trees
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.
Posted By Sansra Kohll, Omaha, Ne USA

Posted: Oct 24, 2011
TREE OF LIFE/TORAH
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
Posted By Anna Cortez, Lanark, Scotland

Posted: Oct 24, 2011
Let us bless everyone as this traveller did.

Pass on all the blessings you have received
Posted By Raju Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala. India, Thiruvananathapuram, India

Posted: July 12, 2011
TREE OF LIFE
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..
Posted By Anna Cortez

Posted: July 11, 2011
Who is the man?
Who planted the garden?

Was the man invited to eat from the fruit of the tree?
Posted By Peter Spiro, Stevenson, WA

Posted: Feb 5, 2011
reproducibility...
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.
Posted By chiggy, enugu, nigeria

Posted: Nov 28, 2010
Perfect
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
Posted By Year 7 student, Kingston

Posted: Jan 30, 2010
THE TREE
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!
Posted By ANNA CORTEZ, SCOTLAND

Posted: Nov 7, 2009
Talmudic Stories
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!
Posted By Shulamit Taylor, Scripps Ranch, CA



 


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Branches
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The Old Man and the Fig Tree
A Stupid Little Ruler
The Human Tree
The Seven Species and Seven Attributes
Life's Roots
Wheat & Dates
Cuttings
Twins: a Saga
Packaging
Your Child, Your Tree
The Teaching Tree
Roots of Resilience
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