(Translated from a lecture in Hebrew)

The world is divided into four kingdoms: Inanimate, plant, animal, and human. The first three, inanimate matter, plant, and animal, preceded man, since they were created to serve him. Everything a Jew sees or hears should provide him with some kind of instruction in serving G-d. Included in this, is everything which is found in the world of Nature. Many of the wonders of nature are printed in Sichos l'Noar, which was published many years ago. People say that Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka (ztz'l) wrote them. In honor of Tu biShevat, the Rosh Hashanah for trees, according to the mishnah in Rosh Hashanah, let us focus on some aspects of the plant kingdom, and particularly trees.

In Torah, man is compared to a tree of the field, and hence there are a number of important lessons we can learn directly from studying trees.

The structure of a tree is basically as follows: Below, deep in the ground, and hidden from sight, are the roots of the tree. They are the essential support and strength of the entire tree. Whatever height the tree reaches depends on the strength and the depth of its roots. The roots are also the source of the tree's sustenance. It is interesting to note that trees, unlike animals and humans, are attached to their source of sustenance.

The trunk of the tree is the largest section of it. In the trunk are the "veins" and "arteries" of the tree which carry water and sustaining minerals to the rest of the tree, enabling the remainder of the tree, the branches, the leaves and the fruit, to grow.

It is interesting to note that today not all trees bear fruit. However, our Sages tell us that in the future, all trees will bear fruit, because the bearing of fruit symbolizes the wholeness and perfection of a tree -- it gives of itself to others. The tree itself really has no benefit from its fruits. They are produced for the sustenance of man and animals, and they also contain within them the seeds of future trees. This suggests that the purpose of fruit is altruistic -- the tree bears fruit for the sake of others, rather than for itself. A large harvest of fruit testifies to a successful tree, whereas only one or two fruits are evidence of a failed tree.

One of the unique features of a tree, is that it always continues to grow, for as long as it is alive. Every year of its life is testified to by a growth-ring which indicates what nourishment the tree received during that year, and also what atmospheric and climatic conditions were present.

There is another interesting feature of trees related to growing and nurturing them. If the seeds are carefully protected, and the young shoots are tended and nurtured until they grow into saplings, there is a very good chance that the tree will grow tall and strong. However, if the tree is not looked after properly from an early stage, or it is cut or damaged while very young, if the tree grows at all, it will be crooked and stunted, and may never fulfill its potential as a tree.

All these factors are also found in a human being, as we will show after we have seen the slides... The Roots: In man these refer to his faith in Hashem. The strength and depth of the roots give a person the ability to rise to the highest levels and yet remain firm and unaffected by powerful winds and rain which beat down upon him. The roots also represent our Patriarchs, from whom we draw our strength. Although the roots of faith and the influence of our ancestors are hidden, they are the foundation of our existence.

The Trunk: The trunk represents Torah and mitzvos, which occupy the majority of a Jew's life. They are the channels which bring sustenance and nourishment from the roots to all parts of the tree. The trunk is the revealed part of a Jew's life.

The Fruits: The fruits represent a person's good deeds in life -- i.e., what he does for the benefit of others, rather than for himself. But the fruits must be sweet and healthy -- when we give to others it must be with love and in such a way that the other person enjoys the fruits. We cannot do this by force or with blows and threats. The Rebbe Shlita explained that the main idea of Tu biShevat is the fruits which are produced, for they represent delight in serving Hashem.

The fruits are also a symbol for children, who are our fruits. Many children are a sign of a strong and healthy "tree." If this was so in previous generations, how much more so is it today, since we are told by our Sages that Mashiach will not come until there are no more neshamas left in Guf (the storehouse of neshamas above) i.e., all of them will have come down to this world.

May we all be worthy of a year of growth and good, sweet fruits!