This week we celebrated the Jewish New Year for the Trees, known as Tu B’shvat. As the trees in Israel begin to blossom, most prominently the almond tree, we celebrate this day as a tribute to the blessings that G-d bestows upon nature.

When G-d created the world, He coded a unique code into every creation, “G-d said, ‘let there be light’ and there was light”. From then on, every creation has proceeded to follow its embedded code. Stones remain still, water flows, trees grow roots, branches, leaves and fruit, etc.

In this week’s Torah portion we learn about the splitting of the Reed Sea. The sea, which is filled with water, normally flows and moves, as is the nature of water. When the sea spilt, it appears that the water changed its imbedded code, it became still, like stone. The Talmud teaches that this is not so, when G-d created the water in the Reed Sea, He coded into it the nature of water as we see it, He also added that when the children of Israel arrive at the sea at this point in time, it must split. It was planned since the creation of the world.

What caused the Sea to split was the Jew’s faith in G-d. G-d told the Jewish people to proceed to Sinai, and they did, having complete faith that G-d would figure the rest out for them, even if it meant walking into the Sea.

When we see the awakening of nature, the trees blossoming, the flowers blooming, we are reminded of this deep faith. Our purpose in life is to follow the word of G-d, G-d, in turn will protect us and guide us. When it seems like there is an impossible obstacle in our way, we must not falter, we must trust G-d and know that He is protecting us and that ultimately, goodness and justice will prevail.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Zushe Cunin