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The Spiritual Significance of Trees

© Lloyd Madansky

I must first give credit where credit is due. Caryn, my wife, and I had volunteered to host the 19-Day Feast for this Baha'i Month (Kamal, or Perfection). Caryn's idea was to show the symbolism of trees and fruits as they apply to attributes and virtues. One example is this quote from Baha'u'llah: Man is like unto a tree. If he be adorned with fruit, he hath been and will ever be worthy of praise and commendation. Otherwise a fruitless tree is but fit for fire. The fruits of the human tree are exquisite, highly desired and dearly cherished. Among them are upright character, virtuous deeds and a goodly utterance. It was this that led me to this subject.

While the Baha'i Faith does use trees in its writings, it is not the only religion to do so.

Judiasm

In Genesis two trees are mentioned, The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, and The Tree of Life. Adam and Eve ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and were expelled before they were able to eat of the Tree of Life (and thereby live forever). The Tree of Life is also the name of the Sephiroth. This is a glyph used in the Jewish Mystical Tradition known as Qabalah or Kabalah.

Proverbs 13:13 - 18 states: Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

Psalms 1 opens with: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

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