Based on Likutey MoHaran I, Lesson #224
Based on Rabbi Nachman's Stories; The Exchanged Children
Tu b'Shevat (the 15th of Shevat), is the New Year for trees. (Fruits blossoming prior to Tu b'Shevat are tithed separately from fruits blossoming from Tu b'Shevat on.)
In honor of this occasion we will present two short pieces. The first is a translation of Likutey MoHaran I, Lesson #224. In addition to portraying the tzaddik as a tree, it offers some insight as to how we are all connected as part of a larger scheme of things, even if we may not be aware of it.
'Even those who are distant from the tzaddik receive vitality and light from him by his shading them. This is like a tree, which has branches, bark and leaves; they each draw life from the tree. There are also grasses that are distant from the tree, so that it seems as if they receive no vitality from the tree. But in truth, they too receive vitality from it, because the tree protects them and shades them from the sun.
'Similarly, in relation to the tzaddik there are those in the aspect of leaves, branches, etc., as is explained in Likutey MoHaran I, Lesson #66:1. And even those who are distant receive vitality from him, by his shading them, like the tree, as explained above.Ó
From The Exchanged Children:
The true prince and his slave are lost deep in the forest. They are found by the forest man who takes them to his home to be his guests. At night they heard the sounds of the beasts: lions roaring, leopards growling, birds chirping and whistling, etc. Initially they were quite frightened and could not concentrated on the sounds. However, when they were able to concentrate, they realized it was an awesomely beautiful song, a very wondrous chant that was a tremendous joy to hear.
When they asked the forest man about the song, he told them it was a melody that the animals had composed in honor of the moon. The forest man also told them that he had an instrument, a family heirloom. This instrument was a box made of wood, leaves and colors. 'When the box is placed on any animal or bird, it immediately begins to sing the songÓ that the animals in the forest sing. The forest man gave the prince the wooden instrument and brought him and the prince's slave back to civilization.
It often seems that we live deep in the forest. It's hard to get our bearings, we wonder what's lurking behind the next tree, what's underfoot, what is making all those sounds and if we'll make it out alive and in one piece! We may be distressed by an upcoming payment for which there are insufficient funds, confused by competition in the workplace or dismayed by personal relationships. We are bombarded by reports of newsworthy and non-newsworthy events. How do we get our bearings?!
As frightened as we may be, we have to do our best to listen. We must make harmony out of cacophony. The 'birds and 'animals may not know that their voices are joining to form a song, but God the Conductor does. We must strain–and train–our ears to make out the melody.
If we appreciate the melody sufficiently we may be fortunate enough to find ourselves presented with a Divine gift: the ability to help others be more in harmony with themselves, so that their lives become part of the Divine song.
May God bless us that the trees grow stronger and produce evermore beautiful fruit and may we be branches of the tree that is the tzaddik. Amen!
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