Tu Bishvat, Trees and Teshuva

Trees are often seen as symbols of life, growth, and spiritual development. In this article, we will explore an idea about trees that connects to the concept of teshuva.

In his commentary on Pirkei Avot, Rabbeinu Yonah reflects on the Mishna that ends, “If not now, when?” (1:14), and provides a meaningful perspective that connects this concept to the imagery of trees.

He emphasizes that the phrase “If not now, when?” should be understood not only as an admonition to act quickly but also as a reminder of the importance of beginning in one’s youth. He explains that if a person waits until old age to focus on self-improvement, it may be too late. He then writes as follows:

And about this matter, David HaMelech stated (Tehillim 144:12), “For our sons are like saplings, well-tended in their youth.” He meant to say that when the sapling is small, a person can grow it to be a straight tree and not be crooked. However, after it grows crooked, it is very difficult to fix. And so [too] when a person is still young, it is easy for him to be on a good path and to turn from evil, but when he grows old with his evil, it is difficult in his eyes to leave it, as it is written (Mishlei 22:6), “Teach a lad according to his way; also when he will grow old, he not swerve from it.” 

The teaching about trees and teshuva suggests that the earlier a person begins their process of growth and correction, the easier it is to shape their character and moral compass. While it specifically refers to youth, the broader lesson is that we should act as soon as possible.

If we wait too long to address our flaws or seek teshuva, we may find it much harder to turn away from bad habits or wrongdoings. Just like a sapling left untended or allowed to grow crooked, it becomes much more difficult to straighten. Over time, it becomes a crooked tree set in its ways. Similarly, as we grow older and continue on a negative path, it becomes harder to change or correct our behavior as we become more entrenched in those negative habits.

However, unlike a crooked tree, if we stay on the right path from the beginning, we can remain strong and spiritually vibrant as we age. As the verse in Tehillim (144:12) says, ‘In old age, they still produce fruit; they are full of sap and freshness.’ This shows that if we continue to grow in righteousness throughout our lives, we can remain fruitful and full of vitality, even in our later years. Just as a well-tended tree continues to thrive and produce fruit, so too will we if we cultivate goodness and righteousness from a young age.

If we wait too long to address our flaws or seek teshuva, we may find it much harder to turn away from bad habits or wrongdoings. Just like a sapling left untended or allowed to grow crooked, it becomes much more difficult to straighten. Over time, it becomes a crooked tree set in its ways. Similarly, as we grow older and continue on a negative path, it becomes harder to change or correct our behavior as we become more entrenched in those negative habits.

One final point to make is to have patience with the process of teshuva. Trees don’t grow overnight, and their full potential is realized over time. Similarly, teshuva is a gradual process. It may take time for the effects of teshuva to manifest fully, just as it takes years for a tree to mature and reach its full height. This teaches us perseverance: we shouldn’t expect immediate results, but trust that, over time, consistent effort and intention will yield spiritual growth.
If anything, this reinforces the previous points, because teshuva is a process that truly requires a lifetime of work—there is no time to delay in getting started. As the Rambam writes in Hilchot Teshuva (7:1), ‘A person should always strive to do teshuva and confess verbally for his sins, seeking to cleanse his hands from sin so that he may die as a baal teshuva and merit the life of the World to Come.’ The phrase “always strive” implies that teshuva is a continual endeavor. It involves not just a single act of repentance but a lifelong commitment to turning away from negative behaviors and towards good ones. Like a tree that matures slowly and bears fruit over time, teshuva unfolds gradually. The roots of our character require consistent nurturing, and the branches of our actions need steady pruning. With persistent effort, the results of teshuva will emerge—slowly but surely.

In conclusion, just as trees need to be nurtured and guided early on to grow straight, we, too, must focus on cultivating good habits and moral clarity from the start. At the same time, we must be patient with the process. The message is clear: don’t wait—begin your process of growth and correction now, while you still have the chance to shape your future for the better. If not now, when? In fact, why wait at all?