Leaf-peeping
The Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, are deluged at this time of year with "Leaf Peepers" - people who travel specifically to view the awesome colour changes in the fall foliage.
Red, yellow, orange, burgundy, purple, a whole spectrum of color arrays itself in front of our eyes.
While it's easy to get caught up in contemplating the beauty of nature, it might even be more interesting to consider the Divine destiny of a leaf.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidic Philosophy, (1698 – 1760) told the following story to illustrate the extensive role Divine Providence plays in our lives:
A person walks down a path and notices a leaf fall from the branch of a tree. "Leaf, leaf" he whispers, "why did you fall at this moment?"
The leaf replies, "The branch shook and I fell. Go ask the branch."
The person asks the branch and is answered, "A wind came and made me shake... go ask the wind."
The wind gives a similar answer: "I don't know why, but the Angel of the wind made me shake the branch, go ask it."
When the person asks the Angel of the Wind, he says, "I am not the master. I just follow orders. Go ask G-d and surely He can tell you why."
Finally the person addresses the question to G-d. "Why did the leaf fall?" he asks simply.
"Lift up the leaf and you will understand why."
The person raises the leaf and sees an ant carrying a large piece of food. He questions the ant, who explains, "I was tired and hot. This leaf came down, shaded me, and allowed me to rest before continuing my journey."
G-d's kindness and care is exercised for the benefit of each of His creations. Even the smallest ant is included in His master-plan. Just as the human being has his own task to fulfill, so has the leaf its function to perform--and both have a divinely directed purpose.
So, the next time we're looking at leaves, we might want to consider this story and how concerned G-d is with every aspect of all creation, including each one of us!
Red, yellow, orange, burgundy, purple, a whole spectrum of color arrays itself in front of our eyes.
While it's easy to get caught up in contemplating the beauty of nature, it might even be more interesting to consider the Divine destiny of a leaf.
The Baal Shem Tov, founder of Chasidic Philosophy, (1698 – 1760) told the following story to illustrate the extensive role Divine Providence plays in our lives:
A person walks down a path and notices a leaf fall from the branch of a tree. "Leaf, leaf" he whispers, "why did you fall at this moment?"
The leaf replies, "The branch shook and I fell. Go ask the branch."
The person asks the branch and is answered, "A wind came and made me shake... go ask the wind."
The wind gives a similar answer: "I don't know why, but the Angel of the wind made me shake the branch, go ask it."
When the person asks the Angel of the Wind, he says, "I am not the master. I just follow orders. Go ask G-d and surely He can tell you why."
Finally the person addresses the question to G-d. "Why did the leaf fall?" he asks simply.
"Lift up the leaf and you will understand why."
The person raises the leaf and sees an ant carrying a large piece of food. He questions the ant, who explains, "I was tired and hot. This leaf came down, shaded me, and allowed me to rest before continuing my journey."
G-d's kindness and care is exercised for the benefit of each of His creations. Even the smallest ant is included in His master-plan. Just as the human being has his own task to fulfill, so has the leaf its function to perform--and both have a divinely directed purpose.
So, the next time we're looking at leaves, we might want to consider this story and how concerned G-d is with every aspect of all creation, including each one of us!
