Every time we return the Torah to the Ark, we sing verses from the Book of Proverbs identifying it as the Tree of Life. Like a tree, Torah is a source of beauty, blessing, and wisdom. In a turbulent world, it has the power to help us walk our path with feelings of pleasantness and peace, even at the most challenging times. The ancient observance of Tu biSh’vat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Sh’vat that is said to be the new year for trees, falls on this Sunday night and Monday. The mystics linked this minor holiday with the insight that our experience of the natural world can help us connect to the divine, and that trees in particular are a good metaphor to lead us in that direction. Like us, trees grow, develop, and change, and like us they are dependent on the earth for their sustenance. When we connect to them, and with the wisdom that comes from recognizing our mutual dependence on the environment around us and the need to safeguard it, we grow closer to the earth, to Torah, and to God. May our experiences with and commitment to the wonder of nature around us always lead us to peace.