The trees’ contribution
The Mishnah Rosh HaShanah tells us that there are four New Years. One is Rosh HaShanah La’Ilanot, the New Year for Trees, which determines the application of tithing to that particular year.
When this date arrives the first part of winter (in Israel) is over. The new season is imminent, and we have to look ahead.
Technically, the focus is not so much on the trees themselves but on the human beings who inhabit the world in which trees play such an important role.
But poetically, one can imagine the feelings of the trees, because anyone who watches the growth of Nature can see that trees have a personality.
Like human being, they come to life as youngsters, they grow, tentatively at first, and as they reach maturity they are productive and protective.
How does it feel to be a tree?
From the religious point of view, even the plants and trees acknowledge God and rejoice to be part of His world. They look upward to Heaven; their swishing in the wind is like a voice that acclaims the Creator.
Yes, there comes a time when a tree groans under the weight of years and begins to fall apart, but even after its physical death it makes a contribution to the universe.
Trees, like people, leave their traces, and the world is a nicer place because they were there.
