The message of Tu B’shvat

In the Rebbe’s last talk on Tu B’shvat he clarifies from Kabbalah the lesson of the seven “fruits” Israel is blessed with by God

A Land Of Wheat, Barley, Grapes, Figs, Pomegranates; A Land Of Olive Oil, And (Date) Honey

As you know, everything in the Torah is really a lesson in life

Land refers to the soil in which produce is grown

To grow one must till the soil.

So to, for a human to grow, we must first be humble (called a broken heart – in other words, think nothing of ourselves, which doesn’t mean being depressed, just not arrogant in any way shape or form.)

To begin with, we have a Divine Soul.

Then we have an instinctual animal soul.

We then have the need to work with joy – for only joyous work is meaningful – with both, on self-refinement.

We then refine our thoughts, speech and actions to be positive.

We then descend, that even our business and all mundane activities should be noble, kind and considerate.

Once again the verse mentions land.

For there is a deeper digging beyond planting which is when one looks for gold and diamonds.

Here one digs deep.

Within us, is God himself, but to find this pure untapped wellspring, we must rid ourselves of the layers of ego and selfishness that prevent this from bursting forth.

This is represented in olive oil; for olives naturally are bitter and to get oil you must crush through bitterness the olive (in other words, being humble.)

And finale you arrive at honey, the wellspring of Chassidus!