In times of conflict there arise various dilemmas that demand tough choices. An officer on the battlefield needs to chart out the best way to be victorious while at the same time keeping casualties as low as possible. It is inevitable that some morals and ethics will be challenged in the pursuit of the best outcome.
In this week’s parsha we learn the laws of war and the Torah prohibits a Jewish militia from chopping down fruit trees during their conquest of other nations. This is true even in times of peace – as long as a tree can produce fruits it is off limits.
The Torah explains this mitzvah in the following way: Is the tree of the field a man [that you fear will harm you]? Following the well-known tradition that every line in Torah contains layers of depth and alternate meaning (in addition to the basic translation), the original Hebrew verse can be understood as a statement rather than a question: Man is the tree of the field. This alternate reading is the source for the many rich lessons gleaned from the comparisons between the human race and trees that can be found in Jewish literature.
A tree starts off as a seed and needs much attention to grow properly. Only after many years will it finally produce fruit for the benefit of humanity. Contrast this with kernels of wheat or other vegetable that do not demand nearly as much effort and yet they produce fields of produce in a fairly short amount of time.
Still, the advantage of a tree is obvious to all. Although the wheat and vegetable crops grew on the express lane one needs to invest time and effort in preparing them to be edible. A fruit, on the other hand, once it is ready to be harvested it is ready to be enjoyed by all. No preparation needed. Wheat fields and vegetables survive one season – a tree endures the brutal changes of the climate like a pro.
The message is clear: Like a tree. a human being starts off as a seed that needs to be nurtured and cared for through many stages of life until the child matures into adulthood. Until then the parents must toil and sweat and the nachas is not readily available. And like a fruit, the finished product is a source of true pride.
On Shabbat we will celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Chabad Lubavitch in El Paso. The beginning was tough and time went by very slowly. But as we continued to plant and to nurture the orchard of our community, the going got smoother and the time moved faster. The investment was well worth it.
We were fortunate to meet many wonderful people that readily showed their support for the young venture. To mention a few that have passed on: The Kurtz, Schuller and Portas families. Fascinating individuals rich in knowledge and history. We learned so much from their life experiences and their personalities.
We are fortunate to have with us many of the founding families that continue to be an integral part of our community. The Rosenbaum, Sidransky, Schlusselberg, Azoulay, Rubin and Goldstein families - to mention a few.
Their investment has produced many wonderful fruits. Over the years, hundreds of children have passed through the doors of Chabad in El Paso and have been educated to know, observe and love our cherished heritage. Many of them are raising families of their own and are leaders in their respective communities in New York, Los Angeles, Israel and all over the world. The hard work in El Paso is showing dividends all over the world.
This is all due to the Rebbe’s vision in the potential of the community in El Paso. And like a tree, the results take time and patience, but they are priceless.
Join us as we look forward to the next stage of Chabad in El Paso. There are children to be educated and people to be helped and inspired. We are ready to forge ahead and we invite you to partake in this wonderful journey.
Invest in the El Paso stock – its value is only rising.