New section! First Parable post, "The Tree"

[Yedidyah]

So we have created a new section for those who would like to share and discuss parables of old or tales from the past. Hope you all enjoy.
Shalom!

The Tree
Talmud, Taanit 5b
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 Hashem's will that all the trees planted from your seeds should be like you . . .”

[alon]

Good one. Speaks to me of the Jewish love of family and acceptance of responsibility. A true blessing could (and should) set the course of a man's life! The tree doesn't just rest, basking in the blessing. It gets busy bearing fruit, the seeds of which bear more fruit just like it!

The blessing is the promise of Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he [should] go; and, even when old, he will not swerve from it." If we get busy bearing fruit, conceived and nurtured in love, then we'll produce an orchard of blessing.

That's what I get from the story anyhow.

Dan C

[Yedidyah]

Dan that is what is so neat about parables there are so many ways one can be viewed. I think your analogy of the parable was really good.
Shalom