What does a Tree represent on a spiritual level?

The verse says, "The Torah is a tree of life to those who grasp it, And whoever holds on to it is happy" (Mishle 3:18), and the Gemara Brachos (32b) explains the "Tree of life is nothing other than Torah." So from this verse the Torah brings both happiness and life, as Rebbe Nahcman explains, "All of the sicknesses and diseases come from depression and sadness, and happiness is a great remedy" (Likutey Moharan II:24). Thus, someone holding on to the Torah can heal themselves of all of their ailments and to live a long happy and healthy life; as the Gemara Eruvin (54a) says, "One who feels pain in his head should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “For they shall be a graceful wreath for your head” (Mishle 3:8). One who feels pain in his throat should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And chains about your neck” (ibid). One who feels pain in his intestines should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “It shall be health to your navel” (ibid). One who feels pain in his bones should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And marrow to your bones” (Mishle 3:8). One who feels pain in his entire body should engage in Torah study, as it is stated: “And health to all their flesh” (Mishle 4:22). Rav Yehuda, son of Rabbi Chiyya, said: Come and see that the attribute of flesh and blood is unlike the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He. The attribute of flesh and blood is that when a person gives medicine to his fellow, it is good for this part of his body and it is harmful to that other part of his body. But the attribute of the Holy One, Blessed be He, is not like this; He gave the Torah to the Jewish people, and it is a medicine for life for one’s entire body, as the verse says, “And health to all their flesh” (ibid). 

But why make the Torah comparable to a tree?

The Gemara Taanis (7a) asks this question; "Rav Nachman bar (the son of) Yitzchak asked, 'Why are Torah matters likened to a tree, as the verse says, 'It is a tree of life to those who grasp it' (Mishle 3:18)? This verse comes to tell you that just as a small piece of wood can ignite a large piece, so too, minor Torah scholars can sharpen great Torah scholars and enable them to advance in their studies. And this is what Rabbi Chanina said, 'I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned more than from all of them.'" This shows the important of all Jews connecting to the Torah since even minor Torah scholars can make a great impact on Torah study by helping great Torah scholars clarify the knowledge of Torah to bring more life, healing, and happiness into the world.

How to be strong like a Tree?

The Mishnah (Avos 3:17) teaches that a tree is analogous to strength, consistency, and sturdiness, as Rabbi Elazar ben (the son of) Azariah would say, 'One whose wisdom exceeds his deeds, what may he be compared to? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, so that when the wind comes, it uproots it and overturns it." Meaning that someone without strong roots cannot stand strong against the different difficulties he experiences in his life. On the other hand the Mishnah explains, "However, one whose deeds exceed his wisdom, what may he be compared to? To a tree whose branches are few but their roots are many, so that even if all the winds in the world come and blow upon it, they cannot move it out of its place." Similarly, The Midrash explains, "'The righteous thrive like a cedar in Lebanon' (Psalms 92:13), meaning that just like in the land of Lebanon there are many roots underneath the ground; even if all the winds and in the world come and blow upon the cedar tree it does not move it from its place" (פרקי דרבי אליעזר יט:יד). Thus, the Tree exemplifies how a person can find unwavering truth in their life, which are equivalent to strong roots, in order to maintain a calm, happy, and healthy disposition as opposed to running after fads, fleeting pleasures, and wasted labors which lead to depressions, sickness, and disease.

Hashem is going to bring Trees for our Redemption!

The Gemara Yoma (21b) explains, "When King Solomon built the Temple (Beis HaMikdash) he planted all sorts of precious golden fruits there, and these [fruit trees] brought forth their fruit in their appointed season like other trees. When the wind blew them the fruit would fall, as the verse says, “May his fruits rustle like Lebanon” (Psalms 72:16). This indicates that fruits grew in Lebanon, which the Sages interpreted as a reference to the Temple, which was built with cedar trees from Lebanon. And when the gentiles (non-Jews) took over the Sanctuary the golden tree withered, as it stated: “And the blossoms of Lebanon wither” (Nachum 1:4). And the Holy One, Blessed be He, will restore the miraculous trees to the Jewish people in the future, as the verse says, “It shall blossom abundantly, it shall also rejoice and shout, the glory of Lebanon will be given to it” (Yishiyahu 35:2). 

This is why Torah Health used the Tree as its logo; because when Torah and its roots go deep into one's heart, mind, body, and soul, it brings a person to true inner peace for a happy and healthy life for each Jew's personal redemption and the final redemption for the Jewish people. (Join the Torah Health Emails list today by clicking here.)