Seeing Within

If a tree could talk and a flower could sing, then the birds would join in an dance while the bees became busy little workers buzzing here and there alerting the entire forest to come alive while the music from the heavens stream through the air, then man would finally realize that all is possible when the entire creative force realizes that with G d all things are possible and life in some type of form goes on forever and ever and touches everything in some beautiful productive way that makes life worth living each and every day. Reply

Man alone can accomplish what the angels cannot. Man alone can discover the spiritual within the material. This phrase, like many others here in Chabad tells us we should not be envious of angels. This of course is beyond any discussion. However, let me bring about something different taken from“What Are Angels?”by Rabbi Baruch S. Davidson, a member of the Chabad.org, Ask the Rabbi team. Any time, when I mention something about angels I cling to this: “Another type of angels are those that are created through the deeds of man. In the words of our Sages: "He who fulfills one mitzvah, acquires for himself one angel-advocate; he who commits one transgression, acquires against himself one angel-accuser."[Ethics 4:11.] These are formed from the (intellectual and emotional) energy which one invests in the performance of a mitzvah, the study of Torah, or in prayer—or, conversely, energy applied in the execution of a sin.” Why I cling to this, simply because this is bringing Heaven down to Earth; this is bringing a soul out of his exile. Besides, this also complies with what you stated in Kabbalah Defined: “Never will a Maple become an Oak, never will a student reveal a secret that was not hidden in his teacher's words.” For this, I strongly thank all-you, the Chabad team. Reply

The Gift of G-d I always think of the tree as G-d's greatest gifts to earth. Almost every species gets a gift from G-d's trees....shade, fruit & nuts for food, medicinal and other beverages from the roots, building materials, homes for many species of birds and animals and in a secondary way, humans;

As a child, I found a magic place under trees for make believe tea parties or doll homes, for playing cards with my friends under the shade of a giant oak that alas after 200 years fell over and immortalized itself in news coverage.

Even in it's demise, the tree lives on in the wood it supplies for so many wonderful items that are often passed from generation to generation.

Many species find nourishment and a home in its woody limbs. Knowledge, G-d''s greatest gift to mankind, was passed on through the fruit of an apple tree. Reply

Who really gives it name What more can be so pleasing to the eye then the manifestation that was made of creation. For it was not known until a thought was formed. From no-thing to some-thing is truly heaven’s realization which to see the Mighty works. Reply

Seeing Within I like the concept of a tree reaching higher - a simple visual that is easy to try to apply.

I spend a lot of time outdoors - there is much beauty in G-d's creation.

When I think of materiel, I guess I tend to think of man's creations - buildings, bridges, fountains, etc. That is the challenge to find spirituality ... the closest I can get is G-d blessed man with intelligence, creativity and a soul that yearns to return to its Creator.

I have also seen beauty in that man-made world; it is just harder to find. Reply

Material & Spiritual The combination of material & spiritual seems opposite, but my intuition says it is highly workable and perfect. Thanks for sharing!

Regards. Reply

Angels and Man What we share with the nothingness or materiality of this Earthly plane is what allows us to know and express it's nature. The Rebbe also alluded to the fact that man ponders and then expresses or "says" his ideas about the tree. This also illustrates how the Shechina moves in speech to illuminate our dark surroundings. By elevating our G-dly soul, and exclaiming that G-d is one, we raise ourselves above and subdue creation. The only question left is, how do we take care of the gift that G-d has given us. Reply

Angels Put into effect the will of Gd Did not an angel visit Abram and Lot? Did not angels grab the hands of Lot's family and pull them from the wasteland that would be Sodom & Gommorah? Did not angels protect that family--minus Lot's wife, who looked back and was crystalized with that debris? Was it man or an angel that surrounded the three in the furnace; was it man that kept the lion from devouring the servant Daniel? Reply