This week's readings contain many commands. One of them is called Orla, which refers to the fruits of the first three years of a new planted tree. A simple and powerful lesson can be learned from it's details. Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 993<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Staying Rooted: A Lesson from Orlah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This week's Torah portion presents us with two powerful readings. The first recounts the tragic passing of Nadav and Avihu, who brought a \u201cstrange fire\u201d during the inauguration of the Tabernacle. The second calls upon us to \u201cbe holy,\u201d setting a tone of responsibility and spiritual awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, these portions contain a remarkable 79 mitzvot\u201428 in the first and 51 in the second. With such richness, it's difficult to focus on just one idea. After all, the Torah is not merely a historical text; it is a guidebook of lessons for life. Every detail holds meaning. Still, let's zoom in on one specific commandment and uncover a powerful message within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mitzvah of Orlah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The commandment is known as Orlah<\/em>. It teaches that when a fruit tree is planted, its fruit may not be used or enjoyed for the first three years. These fruits are considered \u201ccovered\u201d or restricted\u2014hence the term Orlah<\/em>, meaning a covering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the fourth year, the fruits (in the Land of Israel) are brought to Jerusalem and eaten there in a state of holiness. From the fifth year onward, the fruit becomes fully permitted for regular use\u2014eaten, sold, and enjoyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Curious Law<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now comes an interesting scenario. Suppose you have multiple trees, and one of them is still within its first three years\u2014meaning its fruit is forbidden. If that tree becomes mixed in with others that are permitted, what do you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The law states:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This leads to a fundamental principle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n That which is connected cannot be nullified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as the fruit is still attached to the tree, it cannot lose its identity\u2014it cannot be nullified. Only once it is detailed does the possibility of nullification arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Deeper Lesson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This halachic detail carries a profound message for life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a person is connected to their source\u2014to God, to Torah, to their purpose\u2014they cannot be nullified. No matter the pressures of society, no matter how strong opposing forces may seem, that connection preserves identity and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But when a person becomes disconnected, they risk losing themselves. They can be influenced, absorbed, and ultimately \u201cnullified\u201d by the surrounding environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Lesson from History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This idea is reflected throughout Jewish history. Powerful empires have risen and fallen\u2014Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and many others. Each one seemed unstoppable in its time. Yet they are no longer here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jewish people, however, remain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because of connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Connection to Torah. As long as that connection exists, survival is not just possible\u2014it is inevitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Final Thought<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a world full of competing values and constant pressure to conform, this lesson is both simple and powerful:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you remain rooted in your purpose and aligned with what is true, you cannot be erased or diminished. You stand firm, regardless of the noise around you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And that connection is what gives a person the strength to fulfill their mission\u2014to make this world a dwelling place for the Divine.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This week's readings contain many commandments. One of them is called Orla, which refers to the fruits of the first three years of a new planted tree. A simple and powerful lesson can be learnt from it's details. Based on Likkutei Sichot, vol. 3, p. 993 Staying Rooted: A Lesson from Orlah This week\u2019s Torah… Read More \u00bbParashot Acharei \/ Kedoshim - If you are connected...<\/span><\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":33371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","episode_type":"audio","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3315,3316],"tags":[3629],"series":[],"class_list":["post-33372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acharei-mot-en","category-kedoshim-en","tag-connection"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/VIDEOS-EN-Parsha-17.jpg","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/avatar1400.jpeg","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"castbox":{"key":"castbox","url":"","label":"CastBox","class":"castbox","icon":"castbox.png"},"rss":{"key":"rss","url":"","label":"RSS","class":"rss","icon":"rss.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/tuviaserber.com\/en\/feed\/podcast\/rabino-tuvia-serber","embedCode":"\n
Connection to Gd.
Connection to purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\nParashot Acharei \/ Kedoshim - If you are connected...<\/a><\/blockquote>