Tu B'Shevat: New Year of the Trees

The Tree of Life by Noam Sienna (An original story inspired by traditional sources)

Once upon a time, the trees of the forest decided to choose a ruler. All the trees were arguing on who should be their ruler. They decided that each tree should make a short speech on why they should be chosen.

The tree of knowledge said, "I am the first tree mentioned in the Torah, and what's more, Adam and Chavah ate from me."
"Yes," the other trees agreed, "but because they ate from you they got in trouble, and had to leave the Garden of Eden." So the tree of knowledge returned to its place.

The fig tree said, "I am special, because I am the first tree named in the Torah. And my fruit is totally edible- with neither shell nor pit." But the others said, "Your fruit or tree is not mentioned. Only your leaves were used to cover up Adam and Chavah after they ate from the fruit."

The old olive tree then said, "I am one of the oldest trees in Israel. My olives are beaten to make the oil for the menorah in the Temple and to annoint rulers. And what's more, my branches are a sign of peace and the covenant of Noah, because the dove took my branches to show that the flood had ended." The others countered, "But your fruit is bitter and cannot be eaten raw."

The grape vine announced, "My fruit gives people pleasure to people everywhere. My juice makes wine for Kiddush for Shabbat and festivals. Noah planted a vineyard. I was the first cultivated plant after the flood." The others argued, "Noah got drunk, and your fruit brought him shame." The vine retreated.

Then the wheat stood up. "I am not a tree, but my grains are ground into flour which makes delicious hallah and bread. I am one of the the 7 species." "Ha, you are so small. You cannot be our ruler. Our ruler must be tall and exalted."

"Well then," said the cedar, "I fit that description. "I am the tallest tree from Lebanon. And my wood was used to build the Temple." "You do not make a fruit that people can enjoy, and are not humble or modest."

The burning bush glowed brightly: "The Rabbis say that God spoke through me to show that God speaks even from a lowly bush." You are a thornbush, and your thorns can hurt a person who puts their hand inside you. "

What about me," said the maple. "In Fall, my leaves look like they're burning. And I am on the flag of Canada." "Hmm," said the trees, "you are not in the Torah. You cannot be our ruler."

"I am in the Torah," sniffed the willow, "and one of the 4 species used on Sukkot. First Nation people used my bark for medicine, and I was a kind of grandmother for Pocahontas." "That is true, but you are so sad. You are called a weeping willow, and when the Jews left Israel, they hung their harps on your branches. You remind us of when we were exiled and the Temple was destroyed."

"I am in the Torah," said the palm. "And I am used for the lulav. In fact, every part of me is used: my wood can build things, by branches can be skhakh for the sukkah, and my sweet fruit can be eaten. Even the righteous are compared to me: Tzaddik KaTamar Yifrach!- The righteous are like a Palm Tree" "Well," said the trees, "technically speaking, palms are not really trees, because they don't branches like other trees or have a bark on their trunk."

The etrog said, "The Torah calls me beautiful tree- and I am one of the 4 species too. My fruit looks like a lemon, but has a beautiful smell." "Your fruit is very fragile. If your pittom falls off, your etrog cannot be used."

The Pomegranate or Rimon got everyone's attention: "I am one of the 7 species. My fruit has as many seeds as the Torah has mitzvot. The silver decorations that crown the Torah are named after me." "That is true, but regrettably, the Hebrew word for a grenade bomb which hurts and kills also is called a Rimon."

The carob tree spoke, "Well my fruit is as sweet as chocolate and more healthy! You can make carob chips from my pods. For hundreds of years Jews remembered Israel by eating my dried fruit." "You take too long to grow. Sometimes you wait for 70 years before you bear fruit. You cannot be our ruler."

The apple tree cleared its throat. "I am dipped in honey on Rosh HaShanah for a sweet year. I am healthy- an apple a day keeps the doctor away." "You are almost perfect, but your name in Latin: malus means Evil. So we cannot choose you."

The orange tree said, "My fruit has vitamin C and am a symbol of Florida sunshine. Lots of people drink my juice every morning." "You are a beautiful tree and a wonderful fruit. But you have a hard peel covering your fruit. You are not totally edible like the fig."

Last the almond tree declared, "I am the first tree to bloom and am a symbol of Tu B'Shevat and spring. My branches are covered in beautiful pink and white blossoms. Aaron's staff was made from my wood." You are beautiful but dangerous. Some people have allergic reactions to you and can die from eating just one of your almond nuts. We cannot have you be our ruler in our nut-free forest!" It seemed that while every tree was tall, or beautiful, or useful, or had sweet fruit, it also had a reason to not be chosen. The trees looked around.

One tree had not spoken. It was Eitz Hachayim, the Tree of Life. "The Tree of Life can be our ruler," said the trees. "Eitz HaChayim is a name for the Torah. The Torah is nourishing like the carob and sweet like the date, and every part edible, like figs, and is exalted like the cedar. When we return the Torah to its aron (ark) we sing, 'Eitz Chayim hi' She should be our ruler."

And so on every Tu BiShevat we remember all the trees, and the Tree of Life, the Torah.