This week, I would like to discuss two questions and hopefully tie them together for an important lesson.

Question number 1: In this week’s parsha, we learn about the giving of the first Luchos – the Two Tablets that contained the Aseres haDibros (which is commonly translated as the Ten Commandments). This first set of Luchos was broken, though, and a second set was given to Moshe, which lasted forever. Why didn’t G-d let us keep this first set forever? Why did they need to be smashed?

Question number 2: Last Shabbos, we celebrated Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for Trees. I have some type of fruit tree in front of my house (not sure exactly what it is, but it is definitely a fruit tree) and right now it is bare. Actually, most of the places where you travel right now, the ground is frozen and the trees are dead. So why are we celebrating the New Year for Trees now? Why not wait until the spring when the trees are blossoming and beautiful?

Before we get to the answers, let me share a thought. In last week’s parsha, Beshalach, we learn in the Az Yashir song that we should “Glorify G-d” with the mitzvos we perform, like buying a beautiful esrog, a silver menorah, and nice looking Mezuzos. Rav Yisroel Reisman makes a very interesting comment on this idea. Imagine a father comes home from work an hour after lighting time for Chanuka and takes out his beautiful looking silver menorah. He then yells at his wife and children that it is time for lighting and quickly recites the blessing before going into the other room to munch on latkes. He fulfilled the mitzvah of having a beautiful silver menorah, but did he really fulfill the mitzvah beautifully. Compare this to a father that leaves work early so he can light on-time. He then joyously gathers his family together for lighting and they sing songs together. Even though, this person lights a cheap metal menorah, his mitzvah is much more beautiful. The beauty is not how externally beautiful something is, but how much beauty internally.

Now, time for the answers. The answer to question number one is dealt with in the Midrash. The Midrash states that when the first Luchos were given, they were given in a very public manner, as explained in this week’s parsha. It was basically the greatest fireworks show that ever existed, with thunder and lightning. The whole world shook at the moment the first Luchos were given. The second Luchos, though, were given in a very quiet and modest manner – no fanfare this time. To put this another way, the first Luchos had more of a focus on external, while the second had a more internal focus. The one that lasted forever was the one internally focused.

The second answer regarding Tu B’Shevat: although the trees are not in blossom during the winter months, underground a lot of action is taking place. The roots are working hard to strengthen themselves so they will be able to hold up the tree when fruit begins to grow in the spring. Therefore, this is really when the tree is being born. The external beauty of the tree is not what holds up the tree, but it is the hidden root system.

In America today, there is a huge focus on externals. Every one and every thing needs to look perfect. But a Jew needs to know although it is important to look good, it is even more important to act good. The externals are not the main focus, but a person’s behavior and feelings are the most important. The Luchos that lasted forever were not the ones with the external show, but the ones given quietly. The tree stands tall not because of its eye-catching fruits, but because of the roots underground. So too with a person: it is not the external beauty that makes them important, but their behavior.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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