Today’s learning is dedicated to the refuah sheleima of Simcha Nosson ben Zissel.

Today marks Tu B’Shvat (the fifteenth of Shvat) and the New Year for trees (see first Mishnah of Rosh HaShana). There is much to be learnt from this unique holiday; hidden lessons that provide hope and encouragement.

At first glance, it may seem peculiar that the New Year for trees begins in the middle of the winter, when the trees are barren, lacking any foliage. But in truth, there is something transpiring deep within the tree, something beautiful yet concealed.

Although the trees may seem withered and depleted, this is precisely when the sap begins to rise, and the trees begin to bud. During the cold winter months, the process of renewal and rejuvenation begins.

Similarly, throughout the year we face countless obstacles and hurdles; quite often, this leaves us feeling drained and exhausted. As Rebbe Nachman teaches, it requires great strength and obstinacy to push forward and overcome these difficulties. Tu B’Shvat teaches us that regardless of how low a person may fall, no matter what wrong they have committed, there always exists the opportunity to restart, to begin anew. Tu B’Shvat teaches us that despite outward appearances, it is never too late, we are always capable of regrowth.

The power of renewal cannot be overstated. Rebbe Nachman teaches us that every day is a new creation, and with it comes endless opportunities to restart in our service of Hashem. As Reb Noson teaches, “The essence of living is to begin anew each day. The word ‘chai’ (living) also means fresh.” (Likutey Halachos, Basarb’Chalav 4:11)

Similarly, Rebbe Nachman states, “You must remain young, renewing yourself each day and making a fresh start.” Reb Noson relays how spiritual devotions did not always come easily to Rebbe Nachman. He overcame his various obstacles and barriers by beginning anew. (Reb Noson teaches that there were times when Rebbe Nachman would “restart” multiple times within a single day.)

(As we previously quoted, Reb Noson teaches that all great Tzaddikim battled through this process. He writes (Likutey Halachos, Morning Blessings 3:6), “Each person must know and believe that the soul of every single Jew is very exalted and extremely precious, and all are considered royalty and children of kings. And everyone can reach high and holy levels just as the pious and tzaddikim. For all the tzaddikim and pious also went through various tests and weaknesses in their minds. But they were smart enough not to let it fool them, and they overcame it and strengthened themselves constantly, until they reached the levels that they reached.”)

We must always remember that we each inherently possess the strength and tenacity needed for this spiritual battle. Tu B’Shvat teaches us that we draw this unwavering and unbreakable fortitude and resilience from our forebearers. As Rabbi Yaakov Klein teaches, Tu B’Shvat is a day that highlights the connection between roots and branches, i.e., the unbreakable bond between our ancestors – who are the roots of the Jewish Nation – and their descendants – who are the outgrowth of those roots.

As Rabbi Klein writes, “A crucial part is remembering that despite our failures, we are still connected to our roots (our holy Avos and Imahos), and that the kochos (strengths or abilities) Hashem gives us are not lost. We maintain our belief that we can activate the abilities Hashem has given us, even if they are currently dormant. Our power derives from being guided by the strong examples and righteous merits of our predecessor role models… Our roots, our inheritance from the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, remain planted strong and fortified, enabling us to weather any storm.”

(Rabbi Mosher Bamberger writes, “One of the heroes of the Chorban (destruction) in Europe was Rabbi Yisrael Spira, the Bluzhever Rav, who survived the horrific nightmare of the war and continued to be a spiritual leader and inspiration to his fellow prisoners. In Bergen-Belsen, he secretly arranged, on the first night of Chanukah, to light a menorah in the presence of hundreds of Jews, who risked their lives to do so. The Rav recited the three blessings and lit the menorah. A non-believing Jew asked the Rebbe, ‘Rabbi Spira, I do not understand how you can bring yourself to recite the Shehecheyanu blessing. How can you offer thanks for having been kept alive for this time of death, torture, and hunger? We wish we were dead!’ The Rebbe replied, ‘I, too, was wondering how I could joyfully recite these words. Then I looked around and I saw this huge assemblage of Jews that had risked their lives to participate in this mitzvah. Have you ever in your life witnessed such courage and faith? Isn’t that something to be grateful for?’”)

Rabbi Pinchas Landis teaches that the message of Tu B’Shvat relates to our interpersonal relationships as well. This special day teaches us that when we encounter someone who seems to be devoid of any praiseworthy traits, we are to seek out their “pintele Yid” – their redeeming factor; that inherent spark inside that still shines bright (or as Rebbe Nachman refers to it, their “good point”). By highlighting and emphasizing their positive attributes, we bring out their best, promoting their growth and development.

Tu B’Shvat also teaches us that from our struggles come the greatest salvations. For a seed to grow, it must be planted in the cold, dark earth; only after the seed is broken down and begins to decompose does it evolve and flourish. So too, for us to reach our fullest potential, we must face various obstacles and hurdles – we may even feel broken at times – but through this process of overcoming our challenges, we access our true greatness, while attaining new and lofty heights. As Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt’l said, “A Jew does not become broken, he becomes better.” 

(The Beis HaLevi points out that the Plague of Locusts – the plague that destroyed and consumed all vegetation – began on Tu B’Shvat. As Rabbi Yechiel Weberman says, “How ironic that the New Year for trees, the day we start to celebrate growth, is the same day of the Plague of Locusts, the day of destruction of all vegetation. How do we reconcile this idea? There are times when we look around and see nothing more than desolation and destruction – both in our lives and in the world – and yet, we must realize that it is at that very moment that Hashem is starting and initiating growth, the blossoming and beauty of life.)

Lastly, Tu B’Shvat teaches us that no matter how dark, cold or bleak a situation may appear, we can remain confident, and rest assured that Hashem is working behind the scenes to ensure the very best outcome. Although it may not always be apparent to the naked eye, our Father in Heaven is right there beside us through thick and thin.

When Hashem instructed Moshe to approach Pharoah, the verse states, “And Hashem said to Moshe ‘Come to Pharaoh’” (Shemos 10:1). Quoting Rav Yosef Bechor Shor (one of the Baalei Tosefos), Rabbi Moshe Kormornick writes, “The appropriate grammar for this verse should have been ‘Go to Pharaoh,’ not ‘Come to Pharaoh.’ Why does the Torah phrase it like this? The answer Rav Yosef Bechor Shor gives is that the verse is grammatically correct, depending on your perspective. For instance, someone would only say ‘go’ if he was not planning to accompany him. However, Hashem was telling Moshe not to worry – for wherever he will go, Hashem will be with him. Therefore, ‘Come to Pharaoh’ is appropriate, for Hashem was saying, ‘Come with Me.’ Hashem’s message to Moshe is the same message that we say every day in the final words of the Adon Olam prayer: ‘Hashem is with me, I shall not fear.’”

Knowing that Hashem accompanies us through every challenge we encounter will lead to a sense of protection, comfort, and solace. As Rabbi Chaim Shmulevitz zt’l said, “A Jew of faith should constantly feel like a baby cuddled in his mother’s arms.”

Similarly, Rabbi Moshe Schochet writes, “In life, when confronting challenges, we often feel as though we are alone and isolated from Hashem. We try to navigate and face difficulties without asking for His help. The Kotzker Rebbe [who offers the same interpretation as Rav Yosef Bechor Shor] is reminding us that we are never left to fend for ourselves. Hashem stands by us through thick and thin. The only condition is that we need to make room for Hashem in our lives. Once we do so, Hashem is guaranteed to be with us throughout it all!”