The Tree

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The Tree

Talmud, Taanit 5b

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PrintE-mail Discuss (25) A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water. He ate of the fruit, drank of the water and rested beneath the shade.



When he was about to leave, he turned to the tree and said: “Tree, O tree, with what should I bless you?



“Should I bless you that your fruit be sweet? Your fruit is already sweet.



“Should I bless you that your shade be plentiful? Your shade is plentiful. That a spring of water should run beneath you? A spring of water runs beneath you.



“There is one thing with which I can bless you: May it be G‑d’s will that all the trees planted from your seeds should be like you . . .”



Talmud, Taanit 5b

Image: detail from an illustration by Chassidic artist Michoel Muchnik.