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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: May 8, 2009
This Tree, This Torah, This Life, This Day
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.
Posted By Mark Siet, San Clemente, CA

Posted: Apr 17, 2009
Meaning
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.
Posted By Rabbi Baruch, Sherman, TX

Posted: Apr 4, 2009
Tree of Life
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)
Posted By ML Suriano, Atl. Hlds, NJ



 


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