Turns out, according to ancient wisdom, it all hinges on justice.
The Sifrei Devarim, a legal commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy, offers a profound insight into this very idea. When it says, "so that you live and inherit the land," (Deuteronomy 16) it's not just talking about physical survival. It's saying something much deeper. It's telling us that the act of appointing judges, of establishing a system of justice, is what allows the people of Israel to truly live. And not just live, but to inherit the land, to build a lasting society. What holds a society together? What allows it to grow and prosper? It's trust. Trust in the system, trust in each other. And that trust is built on a foundation of fairness and justice. Without it, everything crumbles. The Sifrei Devarim connects the dots: righteous judgment leads to life, and to inheriting the promise.
But justice isn't just about what we do. It's also about what we don't do.
The text then moves on to another seemingly unrelated topic: trees. Specifically, the prohibition against planting an asheirah. What's an asheirah? It's a tree specifically devoted to idolatry, a symbol of pagan worship. The Sifrei Devarim states plainly: "You shall not plant for yourself an asheirah (a tree devoted to idolatry): We are hereby taught that one who plants an asheirah transgresses a negative commandment" (Deuteronomy 16:21). Simple enough. Don't plant trees for idols.
But then it gets interesting. The text asks: where do we learn that planting any tree on the Temple Mount is forbidden? The answer: from the same verse! "You shall not plant for yourself… any tree beside the altar of the L-rd your G-d" (Deuteronomy 16:21).
Why is this significant? It seems like a leap. Well, the text is drawing a parallel. Just as planting a tree for idolatrous purposes defiles the land and corrupts the spirit, so too does planting any tree in the sacred space of the Temple Mount. It's about preserving the purity and sanctity of that which is holy.
It's a powerful reminder that our actions, even seemingly small ones like planting a tree, can have profound consequences. They can either contribute to the flourishing of life and justice, or they can defile and corrupt.
So, what does this all mean for us today?
Perhaps it's a call to examine the systems of justice around us, and to work towards making them more fair and equitable. Maybe it's a reminder to be mindful of the choices we make, and the impact they have on the world around us. Or maybe, just maybe, it's a nudge to consider what "trees" – what symbols, what values – we are planting in our own lives, and whether they are contributing to a world of life, justice, and holiness. What are we cultivating?