Deuteronomy (Devarim) 8:8 speaks of “A land of wheat and barley, of grape-vines, figs and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and date-honey.”
On Tu-Bishvat, the Jewish New Year for Trees (usually in February), it is customary to partake of these and other fruits and appreciate their symbolism and messages.
(We’ll skip the wheat and barely for now, and stick to the symbolic messages from the 5 fruits in the verse):
GRAPES = JOY
“Wine of the vine brings joy to man and G-d.” – Judges 9:13
Fruit of the vine, whether wine or grape juice, is a celebratory Jewish drink, used for Kiddush and Havdalah to begin and end Shabbat and Holidays, as well as at a circumcision, a wedding and the four cups at the Passover Seder. Grapes and wine (in moderation) are a symbol of Jewish joy and celebration.
“Serve G-d with Joy!” – Tehillim/Psalms 100:2
Happiness and joy may not be a Mitzvah in and of itself, but they certainly color and affect everything we do. Judaism in general and Chassidus in particular greatly encourage joy, and extol the wonderful effect that joy has on our service of G-d.
Here are two lessons about happiness we can learn from grapes and wine:
1) The wine, or the juice that later becomes wine, is hidden inside the grape. Likewise, the reasons for happiness aren’t always obvious and external. Lasting joy isn’t based on externals, like possessions or status, but is an inner state, based on things like faith, connection, and gratitude. We have to seek deeper within, beneath the surface, to find and reveal the true joy in our lives.
2) Wine doesn’t squirt out of grapes. Making wine is a process. In fact, the finest wines improve with age, they take time to develop. Happiness is like that, too. It’s not an on/off switch. Happiness, like good wine, takes time and effort, and is richest when it grows on us, slowly and gradually, letting positive perspectives and mindset ferment and develop richer flavor.
FIGS = INCREASE
Why is Torah compared to a fig tree? Talmud Eruvin 54b explains: Every time you come back to the tree, new figs will have ripened. It’s the same with Torah; every time you study it, there’s new flavor to be found.
Rashi explains that figs do not all ripen at the same time, but ripen continually throughout an extended season. So you might have taken all the ripened figs last time you harvested, but next time you come back, there will be more ripened figs to enjoy. And there continue to be more every time! The message of figs is to not suffice and be satisfied with a first round or first batch of whatever we learn or accomplish; but to keep returning for more, again and again, with a continuous and repeated effort and thirst for Torah and Mitzvot.
POMEGRANATES = ABUNDANCE
Talmud Brachos 57a interprets a Song of Songs verse to mean that even the seemingly “emptiest” people are filled with good deeds as a pomegranate is filled with seeds.
A pomegranate is jam-packed with seeds, numbering in the hundreds; many more than you’d find in apples, peaches, etc. In addition to the quantity of seeds, pomegranate seeds are distinctive in that they are the edible part of the fruit. We enjoy the seeds of a pomegranate, unlike an apple or peach or other fruit whose seeds are discarded while the flesh is eaten.
The Talmud’s statement (with slightly different wording at the end of tractate Chagigah) validates and uplifts Jews who may be otherwise underappreciated or underestimated.
The fullness of the pomegranate helps us realize the inner potential and surprising beneath-the-surface fullness inside every Jew. Don’t underestimate or dismiss anyone. Realize their potential and help them reveal it.
OLIVES = SQUEEZE
“The olive releases its oil only when it is squeezed.” (Talmud Menachot 53b)
Sometimes it’s the challenge or difficulty that brings out our innermost strength. It can be hard to enjoy the squeeze, but it can do wonders for us. Examples of a squeeze can be working under pressure, or facing a difficult challenge, or trying to accomplish goals with limited resources.
DATE-HONEY = SWEET
“Please G-d, sweeten the words of Torah in our mouths.” (Talmud Berachot 11b and in the Morning Torah Blessings)
There’s a tradition to have a young child lick honey off the Hebrew alphabet, as a first introduction to formal Jewish learning. This hopefully sets the tone for a lifetime of sweet Torah study. The sweet taste of Torah symbolizes its attractive, enjoyable pleasantness. As Chassidut explains, there are many levels and applications of sweetness; beyond sugar, honey, and dates. There can be sweetness in melody, the sweetness of an idea, and the sweetness of a relationship. The message of dates is that we can strive and hope to be able to find and relish the sweetness in Torah, in a Mitzvah, and in life.
Enjoy this Food-for-Thought!