יום ה Date: 18 Av, 5774 (8/14/14) – MoedKatan#3 {Eliezer}

[ A+ ] /[ A- ]

TREES of LIFE

[3a top] Gemarah: There are two types of hoeing: removing excess earth around the trees [which is forbidden during Shemittah (because it improves the trees)], and covering cracks in the roots [which is permitted during Shemittah, because it only stops the trees from dying)].

E’s Lesson (based on R’ Adler): People are all like these trees. Some individuals are only focused on ‘staying alive’ and just not dying each day. But, we must all be constantly focused on improving ourselves through Torah study and the performance of Mitzvos. We should always maintain a growth-oriented life to produce priceless fruits through our precious Trees of Life.