Themes of Featured Contemporary Kabbalists Articles

There are many similarities between a man and a tree. In order for the ground to be fruitful, it is necessary to work it: to remove the thorns, to plow, to sow, and to water. So too with a person; in order to ascend spiritual steps and levels one needs to work on their character traits.

Removing the thorns refers to distancing oneself from bad traits. Watering is accomplished through Torah, which is compared to water. Furthermore, through mitzvahs and good deeds, the person develops and is converted from a non-fruit-bearing tree to a tree which produces fruit.

The Kabbalists created a simple and informal "seder" for Tu b’Shevat that can help repair one’s eating for the entire year, so much so, that our eating can become like that of Adam and Eve before their spiritual fall. As we partake of delicious fruits and delicacies on Tu b’Shevat, we may taste the Divine Presence and expand the boundaries of holiness, permeating the world with the light of wisdom. We may bring the day, when for all people, the pleasures of this world will be one with the deepest, formless pleasure of knowing G-d