* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
A teacher once told me there are four words, in her opinion, that characterize the times in which we live: “I,” “here,” “now,” and “everything.” That is why Tu Bishvat is so important: It stands in opposition to these four words. This festival of trees is celebrated not in spring but in winter. Not when everything is already blooming and ripening, but at a time when we do not yet see flowers or fruit. We are not getting everything here and now, but are content to wait as we invest in the future. At present, we can only plant, water, and have faith that growth and maturation will follow.
Contemplation of nature reminds us that that there are slow and hidden processes in life, that there is development beneath the surface, and that results cannot immediately be seen. All we can do for now is nurture what we plant and gird ourselves with patience. This is true in education of children, marriage, study, and every other meaningful area of life.
In an era when we become anxious if we do not immediately see two blue check marks next to our WhatsApp message, we receive a reminder once a year regarding the importance of restraint, perseverance, and patience. All of these, in the end, bring B"H positive results and sweet fruit.
