THE SONG OF THE APPLE TREE
The apple tree sings about the sweetness of Torah living and how Hashem’s shelter is preferable to any worldly comforts.
[Song 27] Apple Tree (Ch. 3)
תַּפּוּחַ אוֹמֵר. כְּתַפּוּחַ בַּעֲצֵי הַיַּעַר כֵּן דּוֹדִי בֵּין הַבָּנִים בְּצִלּוֹ חִמַּדְתִּי וְיָשַׁבְתִּי וּפִרְיוֹ מָתוֹק לְחִכִּי: (שיר השירים ב ג)
The Apple is saying, “Like the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among young men. I sat down under his shadow with delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”
Commentary
The apple tree has sweet fruit, but it has comparably less shade than many other
trees. It sings of how the Jewish nation chose to accept the Torah for the
sweetness of its fruit, even though it is a lifestyle that involves hard work and
little shade. This is unlike the other nations who refused the Torah, preferring
instead the comforts of this world which is like a fruitless, shady tree. It also
sings of our trust in Hashem in accepting His Torah without inquiring as to its
contents, in the same way the apples begin to grow before their protective leaves
have finished growing. Any discomforts involved in performing the Mitzvos are overshadowed by our
faith in the unimaginable eternal reward, coupled with the pleasantness of
serving the Living God. When we cling to Him as we did when we leapt to
receive the Torah, He takes full care of His nation. The secular dream of idly
enjoying life in the shade can be enticing, but the sweetness of the apple’s song
clarifies doubt and removes temptation.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Man was created to labor. That is how he finds fulfillment and true enjoyment in life. Those that seek the shadiest spot
to lay down will not discover there the sweetness of the fruits of labor.
The Tapuach sings of the pleasantness of the Jewish lifestyle, how those that shelter under Hashem merit true
enjoyment and lack nothing. In truth, there is no other shelter in life. Whatever Hashem desires is and whoever He
desires in will not lack. Desire in Hashem’s shelter and He will desire in you. Live with Him and He will live with you.
A Jewish life of trust in Hashem, of acceptance in all that He does as being for the best, of awareness and gratitude for
His myriad constant kindnesses, of joy in serving the Living God – forms an orchestra of song that outshouts the
confusing calls of the nations who think otherwise.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.