It all starts with the verse, "Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him" (Numbers 3:5–6). This is where our sages begin to unpack the deeper meanings.
The text immediately connects this verse to (Psalms 92:13-14): “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God].” But why a palm tree? What’s so special about it?
The Midrash (rabbinic commentary) dives deep. "Just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed," the text says, "so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come." It suggests that true righteousness isn't about immediate gratification, but about a long-term commitment, a reward that may not be visible in this life.
But there's more. The palm tree produces all sorts of things: juicy dates, unripe dates, even thorns! This, we’re told, is like the people of Israel. There are Torah scholars, plain folk, and those who are less knowledgeable. We're a diverse bunch, aren’t we? And just as some dates make it to the storehouse while others don't, some Israelites entered the Land of Israel while others didn’t. It's a reminder that not everyone reaches the same destination, but everyone has a role.
And those thorns? They represent the righteous! Anyone who doesn't protect themselves from the righteous, the text warns, will feel their bite like a snake. Whoa! Strong words. It emphasizes the power and importance of respecting those who dedicate themselves to righteousness. "All their statements are like fiery coals," the Midrash states, meaning their words can have a profound impact.
Here's where it gets really interesting. The palm tree has no waste! Dates for eating, soft branches for waving during Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles), hard branches for roofing a sukka (temporary dwelling), bast for ropes, leaves for sieves, planks for building... everything is useful. So too, we are told, with Israel. Some are masters of Bible, some of Mishna (oral law), some of aggada (storytelling), some perform mitzvot (commandments), and some give charity. Everyone has something to contribute!
And the heart of the palm tree? "Directed upward," the text says. "So, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven." Our focus, our yearning, should be towards the Divine. As it says in (Psalms 25:15), “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net.”
Rabbi Tanhuma even tells a story about a palm tree in Ḥamtan that wouldn't bear fruit until it was pollinated by a male palm from Jericho, the one it desired! This emphasizes that the righteous also have desire, and their ultimate desire is for the Holy One, blessed be He.
But the palm tree isn’t alone in this lesson. The text brings in the cedar tree too! After all, Psalms 92 mentions both. While the palm provides fruit, the cedar offers wood for crafting. "Utensils are crafted from cedars," we’re reminded. And just as both trees can be dangerous to climb without care, so too, anyone who confronts Israel will ultimately face consequences. Think of Pharaoh, who was afflicted after taking Sarah (Genesis 12:17).
Ultimately, the palm tree becomes a symbol of the tribe of Levi. Because they stood strong during the incident of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:26), they were elevated. "Planted in the House of the Lord," the text says, referring to the Temple service and the dedication of the Levites.
So, what does it all mean? The palm tree isn't just a tree. It's a mirror, reflecting the diversity, the potential, and the aspirations of the Jewish people. It's a reminder that everyone has something to offer, that righteousness is a long-term commitment, and that our hearts should always be directed towards something higher. Next time you see a palm tree, take a moment. Consider its lessons. What can you learn from this ancient symbol? What can it teach you about your own life, your own community, your own relationship with the Divine?
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Bring the tribe of Levi near and stand it before Aaron the priest, and they shall serve him” (Numbers 3:5–6). “Bring the tribe of Levi near” – that is what is written: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree; [like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall]. Planted in the House of the Lord, [they will blossom in the courtyards of our God]” (Psalms 92:13–14). “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree” – just as this palm tree, its shade is far removed,1From the trunk of the tree. so, the righteous, the granting of their reward is far removed from them, until the World to Come. Just as this palm tree produces juicy, nikolaos, and unripe dates, and produces thorns, so are Israel: there are Torah personalities among them, there are plain citizens among them, and there are ignoramuses among them. Just as on this palm tree there are unripe dates that do not enter the storehouse and it produces dates and they enter the storehouse, so, Israel, when they were in the wilderness, some of them entered the Land of Israel and some of them did not enter. Just as this palm tree produces dates and produces thorns, and anyone who seeks to steal dates, the thorns that are on it grip him, so are the righteous: anyone who does not protect himself from them, their bite is the bite of a snake, their sting is the sting of a scorpion, their hiss is the hiss of a serpent. And all their statements are like fiery coals. Another matter: Just as this palm tree has no waste, but rather, dates for eating, soft branches for extolment,2On Sukkot. hard branches for roofing,3The sukka. bast for ropes, leaves for a sieve, planks to roof the house, so are Israel: they have no waste, but rather, some of them are masters of Bible, some of them are masters of Mishna, some of them are masters of aggada, some are performers of mitzvot, some are givers of charity, and so on. Another matter: Just as this palm tree, its heart is directed upward,4The soft material at the heart of the trunk goes straight up and does not bend. so, Israel, their heart is directed to their Father in Heaven, as it is stated: “My eyes are always toward the Lord, for He takes my feet from the net” (Psalms 25:15). Another matter: Just as this palm tree has desire,5The fruit buds on the female trees are pollinated from the pollen in the flowers of the male trees. so, the righteous have desire. What is their desire? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “With my soul, I desired You at night; while my spirit is within me, I will seek You. For when Your judgments are on the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness” (Isaiah 26:9). Rabbi Tanḥuma said: There was an incident involving a certain palm tree that was standing in Ḥamtan but did not produce fruit. They pollinated it, but it did not produce fruit. The palm cultivator said to them: It sees a male palm from Jericho, and it desires it in its heart. They brought from it, and pollinated it, and it immediately began to produce fruit. So, the entire desire and the hope of the righteous is the Holy One blessed be He. Just as this palm tree does not produce fewer than three branches, so, Israel is never lacking three righteous ones in the world, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Likewise it says: “I said: I will ascend the date palm, I will grasp its branches; and please may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the fragrance of your nose like apples” (Song of Songs 7:9).6In Shir HaShirim Rabba 7:9 this verse is explained as referring to Ḥananya, Mishael, and Azarya. Just as this palm tree has soft branches for extolment, hard branches for a sukka, even its bast is used for strengthening,7Making ropes and its wood for kindling, so [there are] in Israel the righteous, the upright, the pious, Torah personalities, and even their wayward are performers of acts of kindness. If so, just as this palm tree, one does not craft utensils from it, is the same true of the righteous?8They provide no benefit for people. The verse states: “[The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree;] like a cedar in Lebanon, he will grow tall” (Psalms 92:13).9Utensils are crafted from cedars. Rabbi Tanḥuma said: I asked it of Rav Huna and he said: We were in Babylon, and we would craft utensils, tables, and candelabra from it. If so, just as this cedar does not produce fruit, so the righteous do not produce fruit? The verse states: “The righteous man will blossom like a palm tree.” Just as the palm tree produces fruit, so the righteous produce fruit, as it is stated: “Say of the righteous that it is good, for they will eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isaiah 3:10). Just as the palm and the cedar, anyone who climbs to their treetop and does not protect himself, he falls and dies, so, anyone who comes and confronts Israel, ultimately, he will receive his just deserts at their hand. Know that it is so, as Sarah, because she was taken by Pharaoh one night, he and his household were struck with afflictions, as it is stated: “The Lord afflicted Pharaoh…” (Genesis 12:17). Just as the palm and the cedar are greater than all the trees, so, Israel is greater than all the nations, as it is stated: “For Mordekhai was great [in the king’s palace, and his renown spread in all the provinces] (Esther 9:4); “David became steadily greater” (II Samuel 5:10). Just as this palm, if it is uprooted, it has no replacement, so are the righteous: they have no replacements when they die, as it is stated: “But wisdom, where will it be found, and where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:12). Another matter: “The righteous man [will blossom] like a palm tree” (Psalms 92:13) is speaking of the tribe of Levi, as they were righteous and they caused good deeds to blossom when Israel crafted the calf, as it is stated: “All the sons of Levi gathered to him” (Exodus 32:26). Therefore, the Holy One blessed be He exalted them in Israel, like this cedar, which is taller and greater in Lebanon than the rest of the trees. So, they are greater than all of Israel, as from all the tribes He selected only the tribe of Levi alone, to serve Him. That is what is written: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14). Rabbi Ḥanan ben Pazi said: While they are still saplings they are in the House of the Lord; these are the children while they are in school. Another matter: “Planted in the House of the Lord” (Psalms 92:14) – they would never move from the Temple. “They will blossom in the courtyards of our God” (Psalms 92:14) – these are the services.10The service done by the tribe of Levi in the Temple. Know that it is so, as it is stated: “Bring the tribe of Levi near.… They shall keep his commission” (Numbers 3:6–7).
