Another matter: “The fruit of a pleasant [hadar] tree” – this is the Great Sanhedrin of Israel, whom the Holy One blessed be He glorified [shehideram] with good old age, as it is stated: “You shall rise before the elderly [and show deference [vehadarta] to the old]” (Leviticus 19:32).27“The old [zaken]” is interpreted by the Sages as one who has acquired wisdom [zeh shekana ḥokhma], in this case, a reference to the elders of the Great Sanhedrin.
“Branches of [kapot] date palms” – these are Torah scholars, who humble [shekofin] themselves to learn from one another. “A bough of a leafy tree” – these are the three rows of students who sit before them.28Three rows of students would sit before the Great Sanhedrin when they deliberated a case. The allusion here is based on the three Hebrew words in the phrase “a bough of a leafy tree [anaf etz avot].”
“Willows of the brook” – these are the two judges’ scribes who stand before them and record the words of those who acquit and the words of those who convict.