Tree of the Field

Shabbat Shoftim - 4 Elul 5767

In this week's parasha we are told that "Man is like the Tree of the Field" and on this basis the Talmud and commentaries expound upon the many similarities that exist in both Tree and Man.

Among my favorites is the following: It is only possible to ignite a large piece of wood by first getting the fire going with small branches and chips. So too, explain our rabbis, the teachers of the generation depend for their inspiration on their students. It is the constant questioning and probing of students which enables their teachers, rabbis and professors to achieve the clarity they require for new discoveries. Or as our rabbis have so succinctly put it: "I have learnt much from my teachers, even more from colleagues, but from my students, most of all".

In this regard, it is worth quoting one of the most famous physicists of our time - John Wheeler.

A journalist once approached Wheeler with the following question:

You have educated many leading physicists, both in nuclear physics and in general relativity, at Princeton. Do you have some thoughts about educating students?

Wheeler: Shouldn't you rephrase your question? After all, I'm sure that it is really the students who educate me! We all know that the real reason universities have students is to educate the professors. But, in order to be educated by the students, one has to put good questions to them. You try out your questions on the students. If there are questions that the students get interested in, then they start to tell you new things and keep you asking more new questions. Pretty soon you have learned a great deal.

So please dear congregants, fire your questions away, and with Hashem's help, I will do my best to respond while learning much in the process.

In this vein, I would also like to institute a new feature in South Head News. Many of you most certainly have unique, interesting and inspiring stories, with a Jewish angle, that would pique the interest of our readers. If so, we would love to hear from you! The story you share may inspire others to extend themselves, lead more meaningful lives or see more good in those around them.

Our first feature is from congregant Michael Leibowitz who, with a small group of friends and relatives, including his young arthritis-suffering nephew, scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. Thanks Michael for sharing your inspiring story with us!

Click here for the story.