PARSHAT SHOFTIM – A TREE OF THE FIELD · Sukkat Shalom B'nei Noach

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Parashat Shoftim
In this week’s Torah reading, a man in compared to a tree of the field. And this is not just an example, rather, the true essence of a man is to be a tree of the field. What does it mean?
Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 24, p. 115

A Man Is Like a Tree of the Field

In this week’s Torah reading, Shoftim—meaning “Judges”—we find a remarkable verse that compares a human being to a tree:

“For man is like a tree of the field.”

The verse appears in the context of a siege. When the Children of Israel entered the Land of Canaan and were required to conquer and transform it into the Land of Israel, they sometimes had to lay siege to fortified cities. In those days, trees were cut down and their wood was used to build siege equipment and help break through the walls.

Yet the Torah gives a clear instruction: fruit-bearing trees should not be destroyed. Trees that do not bear fruit may be used for the needs of the siege, but a tree that produces fruit must be preserved.

This raises an interesting question. Are human beings really like trees?

The Unique Quality of a Tree

Our sages in the Talmud explain the comparison by speaking about a תלמיד חכם—a person of great Torah knowledge. If such a person also has good character traits and behaves properly, he is compared to a fruit-bearing tree: one may “eat from his fruit.” But if a person possesses great knowledge while his behavior does not reflect that knowledge, he is compared to a tree that does not bear fruit.

At first glance, however, this does not seem to answer the original question. The question is whether a human being is truly like a tree. How does the discussion about knowledge, character, and fruit explain this comparison?

To understand this, we need to look more deeply at the nature of creation.

Four Levels of Creation

There are traditionally four general categories of creation:

Inanimate objects, such as stones and minerals.
Vegetation, including plants and trees.
Animals.
Human beings.

Each of these levels also has a parallel within the human being.

What is unique about vegetation—and especially about a tree?

A tree remains connected to its source. Its roots are constantly connected to the earth, from which it receives nourishment, strength, and life. It grows upward and outward, but it never disconnects from the place that sustains it.

Animals, on the other hand, move from place to place. Even fish, which live within water, can move from one body of water to another. But a tree remains rooted in its source.

Furthermore, a tree has another special quality. Many plants grow and disappear with the passing of time, but a tree remains standing year after year. Season after season, it continues to grow and bear fruit.

Its strength lies in its roots.

The Tree Within the Human Being

Within every human being, there are also different levels. There is an inanimate aspect, a vegetative aspect, an animal aspect, and the uniquely human aspect.

The “tree” or vegetative aspect of a person can be understood as the world of emotions.

Emotions grow. Love can become stronger. Kindness can deepen. Discipline and strength can increase. But an emotion generally remains connected to its essential nature. Kindness is always kindness. Strength is always strength. It may become greater or smaller, but it does not suddenly become something entirely different.

The intellect, however, is more flexible. A person can understand one point of view and then understand its opposite. One can change one’s mind, reconsider an idea, and move intellectually from one position to another.

In this sense, the intellect resembles the animal world, which has the ability to move from place to place. Emotions, by contrast, resemble a tree: they grow from their roots and remain connected to their essential source.

And this is why the emotions of a person can reveal something very deep about who that person truly is.

A person may intellectually accept an idea because it makes sense in a particular situation, even if it does not reflect his deepest self. But genuine feelings reveal something more personal. The emotions often express the essence of the soul.

In this sense, we truly are like trees of the field.

Knowledge Must Bear Fruit

This brings us back to the teaching of our sages.

Knowledge alone is not enough. A person may know a great deal of Torah, deliver brilliant lectures, and possess an impressive intellect. But the real question is: how does that knowledge affect the person’s character?

Does the Torah produce good fruit?

Does it lead to kindness, humility, discipline, compassion, and proper behavior?

When knowledge influences a person’s emotions and character, it becomes like a healthy tree that bears fruit. Others can benefit from that person’s example.

But when knowledge remains only in the mind and does not transform the person’s behavior, something essential is missing.

The purpose is not merely to know what is right. The purpose is for that knowledge to guide the heart.

The Power of Guided Emotions

Emotions are powerful. They contain warmth, enthusiasm, passion, and energy. But emotions without direction can also become dangerous.

They can be compared to a powerful horse. If a horse is left completely uncontrolled, it may run wherever it wishes. But when it is properly guided, its strength can take a person much farther and faster than walking alone.

The same is true of our emotions.

The intellect provides direction. It teaches us where to go and what is right. But the emotions provide the energy to actually move forward.

We should not suppress our emotions and become cold. Rather, our emotions should be guided by wisdom and understanding. The ideal is a partnership between the mind and the heart: the intellect provides direction, while the emotions provide strength and enthusiasm.

This is when the human “tree” becomes truly fruitful.

Staying Connected to Our Source

The deepest lesson of the tree is the importance of remaining connected to our source.

The roots of a tree are hidden beneath the ground, but they are the foundation of its entire existence. Without its roots, the tree cannot survive. It may appear strong for a while, but once it is disconnected from its source of nourishment, it eventually withers.

The same is true spiritually.

Torah is a source of spiritual nourishment because it connects us with Godliness. Through Torah and a life connected to G-d, we receive the direction and strength necessary to guide our intellect and emotions properly.

As long as we remain connected to our source, we can continue to grow. Like a healthy tree, we can stand firmly through the changing seasons of life and continue to bear fruit year after year.

But when a person becomes disconnected from his source, the consequences can be serious. We know what happens when a fish is removed from water, and we know what happens when the roots of a tree are cut.

Life depends on connection to its source.

A Tree That Continues to Bear Fruit

The message of this week’s Torah reading is therefore both simple and profound.

A human being is indeed like a tree of the field.

Our emotions are like the branches and growth of a tree. They reveal something of our deepest essence. But for those emotions to produce good fruit, they must be guided by wisdom and remain connected to their spiritual source.

Knowledge must become action. Understanding must influence character. And a connection to Torah and Godliness must become the roots from which our lives grow.

When we remain firmly connected to our source, we can continue to grow, withstand challenges, and bear fruit—not only for ourselves, but also for everyone around us.

May we make the effort to remain constantly connected to the true source of life, so that our minds can guide our hearts, our hearts can inspire our actions, and our lives can become like a strong and fruitful tree.sence in every circumstance, we walk ever more closely with Him.

Good Shabbos.

Talk from Rabbi Tuvia Serber

The above is a representation of the spoken text converted to written text.