Imagine we’re taking a stroll in the woods enjoying the majesty of the tall trees surrounding us. If we listen closely we can almost hear the trees talking to us — their roots leaves and stature conveying a message for our lives. Indeed the Torah compares man to the tree of the field; the inspiration in the waving branches is relevant to us not only on Tu B’Shevat but the entire year.

Sturdy Roots

Let’s start from the roots buried deep beneath the soil snaking upward to the forest floor. The roots as we know are not there only for stability; they extract the nutrients and moisture from the soil and carry them upward to nourish the foliage and fruit. Rav Aryeh Leib HaKohein Shapira’s Chazon Lamoed points out that this upward motion is counter to the pull of gravity — usually things are drawn downward. The symbolism is profound for our lives.

Nesivos Shalom notes that the roots of a tree correspond to a person’s middos which form his foundation. Just as healthy roots produce a healthy tree similarly good middos form the foundation of a true eved Hashem. Exercising our middos enables us to counter the gravitational pull of our inclinations and desires.

When our characters are firmly grounded in good middos we have both the strength and refinement to deal with the many challenges we face constantly. Yes we want to hear a juicy piece of gossip. But our roots enable us to redirect the conversation. Yes we may feel irritated — even angry — when a crystal bowl smashes on the floor or when someone grabs the parking space we were just about to maneuver into. But we have the strength to model dignified behavior. By behaving in ways that run counter to the knee-jerk reaction of blame anger or frustration by resisting the gravitational pull of the yetzer hara we strengthen the beauty of our “trees” and the “trees” around us.

On Tu B’Shevat there’s a well-known custom to daven for a good esrog for the coming Succos. The esrog symbolizes a pure and good heart. Our focus on Tu B’Shevat is to follow a path of growth so that by Succos the esrog we wave will truly reflect the purity of our hearts.

Towering Trunks

We can now throw back our heads and peer up at the height of these regal trees. Height is the second lesson Chazon Lamoed learns from the trees that is a direct message to us. Like trees Jews walk with their heads held high. We’ve been granted special gifts and a mission directly from the King of Kings. As His ambassadors we can be filled with pride.

The tree’s great height also protects us from inappropriate pride. The tree stretches upward into the sky making us aware of the vast expanse we must traverse in fulfilling our goals and mission — and instilling humility within us. The Imrei Emes comments on the midrash that Har Sinai was chosen as the mountain to receive the Torah since it was the smallest and most humble of mountains. If so notes the Imrei Emes why was the Torah not given in a valley? Surely if we are to be taught humility a valley is the most appropriate venue?

But no explains the Imrei Emes to have humility you need to be a mountain. We need to see ourselves in a spirit of grandeur with an awe-filled awareness of our gifts. People tend to put themselves down; not to accept compliments on a job well done. But instead of the ironic or self-deprecating comments that come so easily to our lips we can practice a different script one that both acknowledges the talents and successes of our lives while crediting Hashem for these gifts — and recognizing how much more He expects of each of us.

Canopy of Shade

As we continue to gaze at the top of the trees we come to appreciate the beautiful shade they afford us. Chazon Lamoed explains that the beauty of the shade is in its constancy. By offering us this special gift — and who doesn’t know the palpable relief of finding a spot of shade on a hot afternoon — the tree is not diminished.

Likewise there’s an aspect of us that can give “shade” without being diminished. In Darchei Mussar Rav Yaakov Neiman points out that this is our ability to smile and offer kind and encouraging words. We’ve all experienced how a well-placed compliment can lift our entire mood and even alter our self-perception. Alei Shur notes that the world is predicated on our ability to give a smile to others and on the other being open to receive it. Everyone needs and longs for this warmth notes Rav Wolbe; teachers to students parents to children friends to each other. Imagine if we were to wake up our children every morning with a smile and greet them when they returned from school with an even bigger smile. Like the shade of the tree it doesn’t cost us anything yet its benefits are tremendous.

The month of Shevat corresponds to the tribe of Asher the second to last tribe to journey in the procession in the desert. Yaakov Avinu blesses Asher with fat produce and bountiful fruit. Asher the Tolna Rebbe notes personifies the characteristics we should strive for to be able to give this “shade” over to others. When Asher was born Leah exclaimed at how fortunate she was and how others would rejoice for her on the birth of this child. Joy appreciation and being able to see goodness are qualities that enable us to live harmoniously and shelter others under our wings.

Further Asher exhibited tremendous humility hence Moshe Rabbeinu blesses him last as the most beloved. One with these qualities of joy and humility will be able to have a large sphere of influence on his surroundings; this is ultimately the fruit of our being.

Beautiful Fruit

As we look up at the branches we observe the fruits of those trees which contain the seeds and potential for new saplings to sprout and grow. Chazon Lamoed highlights how a tree can be put into the ground and produce another tree. This is a special gift given to each of us: the ability to produce both physically and spiritually many others.

As we raise our young our attitude explains Chovas Hatalmidim should be an agricultural one. A farmer constantly tends his crops ensuring that the wheat will be tall and golden that the vegetables are picked at optimal ripeness. He’ll add fertilizer to the soil protect his produce from insects or foraging animals and is constantly aware of his crops’ progress. As parents we have to look to the future. We’re not just raising good children but future adults. When weighing whether a particular behavior warrants discipline a helpful question is: Will they be doing this as an adult? If not the behavior can be overlooked. If yes there’s a need to discipline and work on effecting change.

When we look at a child’s character traits we can’t just recognize stubbornness or excitability. We must cultivate a vision of how these traits can be used as an adult. A child with lots of energy can one day use this to become a chesed entrepreneur. A child who is stubborn can grow to keep the Torah and mitzvos with tremendous mesirus nefesh. Our fruits carefully tended will grow to be the luscious results of the journey from root to fruit.

As we leave this special trip through the forest let us take the trees’ whisper along with us. The inner strength to refine our middos. The pride in our uniqueness and mission. Our ability to exude joy and goodwill to those around us. And finally the power we have to influence those special souls that are a byproduct of our being. When working on all of these elements our roots will be that much stronger and the foliage that much more beautiful.