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A Bisl Torah – Unexpected Growth

It took a long time for my tree to grow. But it has been worth the wait.
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March 23, 2023
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There is a tree that sits outside our kitchen window. Lacking leaves or any signs of life, I assumed the tree was dead. About six months ago, I considered speaking with gardeners about uprooting the tree, unsure of its viability and whether the presence of the tree was doing more harm than good. However, I held back from making the verdict. Squirrels and birds would run up its branches and I figured, 鈥淥h well鈥鈥檒l leave that decision to another day.鈥

And then came the rain. This otherwise dormant tree, a tree that hasn鈥檛 produced leaves or greenery since we moved into the house, has come back to life. It is a beautiful sight to witness. Purple flowers are beginning to bloom, and hummingbirds visit our window. With a hot cup of coffee, I start my mornings staring at our tree and smile, realizing that unexpected growth comes from sometimes, the least expected places. That even when we think something or someone isn鈥檛 capable of change, there may still be room for growth to emerge.

Often, we experience frustration in particular relationships. Frustrated with family, spouses, friends, and colleagues. We wonder if it is better to uproot a situation than spend any more time tending to its growth. While sometimes, it may be healthier to weed out that which is damaging, a question should be asked: is there any unearthed potential? Is there still room in this relationship for positive growth and connection? The answer may still be no. But the answer just might be鈥es.

As the Psalmist teaches, 鈥淗appy is the man鈥n which the teaching of God is his delight鈥e is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, whose foliage never fades, and whatever it produces thrives.鈥 It took a long time for my tree to grow. But it has been worth the wait. May we find the same growth in each other鈥nexpected blossoming that enhances our lives with wonder and joy.

Shabbat Shalom


Rabbi Nicole Guzik is a rabbi at Sinai Temple. She can be reached at her Facebook page at or on Instagram . For more writings, visit Rabbi Guzik鈥檚 from Sinai Temple鈥檚 website.

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