A Torah Minute: Tu B’Shvat

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This Monday is Tu B’shvat.
The fifteenth day in the Jewish month of S’hvat.
In Jewish tradition, it’s the “New Year of Trees”.
It’s customary to make a point of eating fruit on this day.
Especially fruit that are associated in the Torah with the Land of Israel.
Like grapes, figs, dates and pomegranates.
And it’s a time to think about trees.
Jewish tradition sees many lessons that can be learned from trees.
… Here’s something to think about.
What would our lives be like if not for trees?
You may be thinking that we would have much less to eat. No delicious fruits
No shady streets.
And much less beauty to enjoy.
It’s all true.
But it’s much more than that.
Because without trees?
Our lives wouldn’t be like anything.
We would be dead!
…You may remember sitting in a science class as a kid.
Drifting in and out of consciousness.
And the teacher was teaching about photosynthesis.
Going on and on.
About how complicated it is. How complex.
It went something like this…
(This is the “Cliff Notes” version!)
“The leaves have this thing called chlorophyll. It’s what gives them their green color.
Chlorophyll has the special ability to absorb sunlight and harness its energy.
You put that energy together with some water and some carbon dioxide?
And you get glucose.
Nourishment for the tree!”
You may have been thinking to yourself…
“Boring!”
And the teacher went on.
“One more thing.
As a result of this process?
Guess what the tree “happens” to exhale?
Oxygen!
And that’s why we can breathe!”
… Today we celebrate trees!
And it’s a time to do what we should really do every day.
First remind ourselves about what goes on inside a tree.
Photosynthesis should not be boring!
Then take a deep breath. Savor it.
And we should say …
“Wow. What a miracle! That’s amazing!
Thank G-d for trees!