spirituality >> Torah portion

Well-Rooted Teachings

Parshat Shoftim: Deuteronomy 16:18-
21:9: Isaiah 51:12-52:1

"Is the tree of the field a man" ...

T

here are a lot of Jewish teach-
ings based upon the com-
parison the Torah makes
between a tree and a person.
While one may look at a tree and
judge its strength based upon its
height, branches and leaves, the true
resilience of a tree lies in the part
of the tree we cannot see, namely
its roots. The roots are
what keep a tree anchored
through the treacherous
winds and storms it may
face.
So, too, for people. We
judge each other by the
external items we can see
such as social status, finan-
cial standing, personality
and looks; yet the roots of
a person lie deeper — in
one's character traits and
emotions. Even intellect,
in comparison, would be
external as it still does not define
who we are and remains removed
and changeable without our core
being changing. Yet, our emotions
and character, as hard as they are to
change, can affect and change us in
our entirety.
Roots utilize healthy, clean and
fresh water to nurture the tree and
facilitate its growth. Water is often
times compared to knowledge in gen-
eral and the Torah in particular.
Yet, it is not enough to have the
waters and teachings of our sages; we
need to be able to ascertain that these
waters are being taken in a healthy
way, and for this we need a teacher.
To change our intellectual pathways
and logical thought processes we
change the things we read and study,

In the words of Ethics of Our
Fathers, aseh lecha ray — make for
yourself a teacher. It is imperative to
our very foundation, and it is inher-
ent within the roots that will hold us
down through the earthshattering
storms of life that we find for our-
selves a person that we can confide
in, ask for advice from and allow to
channel waters of spiritual
blessing and growth.
It is through this that we
become able to handle our
many different responsibili-
ties and life pressure, and
be the "tree" that our family,
friends and others count on
to stand strong and provide
shade and more.
A teacher, by definition,
is a person that teaches.
While many of us default
to the people in our lives
who are employed as teach-
ers in schools and other such roles, it
is worthwhile to take a step back and
say:
"Who in my life is the one that
teaches me? Who in my life do I find
wise, yet relatable and practical? Who
am I not ashamed of and embarrassed
to tell them what's actually going on
and be willing to ask for help, advice
and guidance from? Who do I allow
to water my roots with knowledge
and inspiration allowing me to grow
and strive for new heights?" ❑

Rabbi Yarden Blumstein is the acting
spiritual director at the Friendship House
in West Bloomfield, an organization

focused on building a community of people
helping those affected by isolation and
other life crises, such as addiction.

2015-2016
Bar/Bat
Mitzvah
Dates Still
Available!

B'NAI

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6800 Drake Road I West Bloomfield, MI 48322 I www.bnaimoshe.org

JN

August 28 • 2014

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