The following thoughts emerged from discussions from the beautiful Shabbat surrounding the Shalom Zachor of my beloved grandson, Yeshaya Naftali, on the Shabbat of Parshat Ki Teitzei, 5784.
Taanit 5b-6a famously relates: “When they were taking leave of one another, Rav Nacḥman said to Rabbi Yitzcḥak: ‘Master, give me a blessing.’ Rabbi Yitzcḥak said to him: “I will tell you a parable: To what is this matter comparable? It is comparable to one who was walking through a desert and who was hungry, tired and thirsty. And he found a tree whose fruits were sweet and whose shade was pleasant, and a stream of water flowed beneath it. He ate from the fruits of the tree, drank from the water in the stream and sat in the shade of the tree. And when he wished to leave, he said: ‘Tree, tree, with what shall I bless you? If I say to you that your fruits should be sweet, your fruits are already sweet; if I say that your shade should be pleasant, your shade is already pleasant; if I say that a stream of water should flow beneath you, a stream of water already flows beneath you. Rather, I will bless you as follows: “May it be God’s will that all saplings which they plant from you be like you.” So it is with you. With what shall I bless you? If I bless you with Torah, you already have Torah; if I bless you with wealth, you already have wealth; if I bless you with children, you already have children. Rather, may it be God’s will that your offspring shall be like you.’”
Manifold lessons emerge from this beautiful interaction. The Maharsha notes that since the Torah (Devarim 20:19) compares people to trees, they are an appropriate analogy for success.
Torah success is compared to a tree’s fruit, which benefits others. Torah success involves living an exemplary Torah life, delivering shiurim, offering Torah guidance and issuing halachic rulings.
Interestingly, wealth (as Rashi, s.v. “v’haya tzilo naeh,” explains) is compared to shade. Shade is not a goal per se, but a means to relieve stress and facilitate focus on important matters. Wealth is positive if viewed as a means to an end—not a goal. Rashi to Devarim (10:6 s.v. v’et kol hayekum) may be understood similarly.
My older son, Binyamin, notes that it shows that everyone—even the most accomplished—needs a bracha. He can achieve his best, but a bracha is necessary for his children to reach similar heights.
Binyamin adds that the Gemara communicates the unity of parent and child. The child’s success is the parent’s success, for they are inseparable. For this reason, Chazal (Sanhedrin 105b) teaches that one is not jealous of a child or student.
My son-in-law, Yisroel, adds that one is not a true success without a legacy. He cited Queen Elizabeth as an example. While she enjoyed great prestige and worldwide admiration, her successors fell dramatically short. Thus, it is difficult to view her as a success.
L’havdil, in sefer Melachim, David HaMelech’s success is measured by the continuation of his legacy by his son, Shlomo HaMelech. By contrast, Shlomo HaMelech’s shortcomings are highlighted by the lackluster performance of his son and successor, Rechavam.
In addition, Yisroel notes the bracha of succeeding generations being like him. Successful chinuch involves the succeeding generation fully internalizing and committing to Torah life and values. Even a small dilution is unacceptable, for as the generations pass, deviations accumulate and, ultimately, fail to match Torah values properly.
Conclusion
This charming episode of Rabbi Yitzchak giving a bracha to Rav Nachman teaches us how to bless others and establish life goals. It also sets forth the ultimate goals for which to daven. May Hashem grant us all the wisdom to live a life bearing these noble goals in mind.
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 19 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
