The New Year for the trees
There is a debate in the Talmud as to when exactly is the new year for the trees. We follow the opinion that the new year is on the 15th of Shevat but the dissenting opinion is that it is today, the first of Shevat. It’s not so easy to look at a tree and assess its overall health. You can look at a tree and it may look just fine to you. But an expert may tell you that its roots are dying. Or, conversely, the leaves may appear brittle and scarce, even completely bare, and yet the roots are strong. There are many places in Torah thought where a person is compared to a tree. In Shevat the trees are bare. It’s cold and rainy outside. There doesn’t seem to be much hope for leaves or flowers, let alone fruit. But the sap is rising, there is a myriad of potential waiting to sprout forth. The fruits are coming. The outside may look like an empty shell. But there is so much power, so much potential within. What a powerful reminder not to judge by the external appearance of things, not to give up hope when life brings challenge. A reminder that no matter what is happening in this moment, no matter how weak or beaten down I feel, I have strong roots. I come from the greats of Avraham, Yitzchak and Ya’akov. From Sara, Rivka, Rachel and Leah. I come from my great grandparents, my grandparents and parents. My roots are strong. Shevat is an auspicious time for growth. It’s at this time in particular, when it looks as though there is nothing happening, when it’s cold outside, that there is real upward movement beneath the surface. May it be a fruitful month for us all. May we tap into our potential and see the beautiful fruits of our labor. Shevat is an acronym for Sh’nishma B’sorot Tovot, may we hear good news. Chodesh tov!