A Rabbi's Thoughts

NBC said on the eve of Sunday's Super Bowl that it has sold the last two of the 67 advertising spots for the game, pushing total ad revenue for the event to a record $206 million. Yes, even in today's economy companies splurged up to 3 Million Dollars for a 30-second time slot.
 
Imagine the effort expended to encapsulate your company's message, its mission, goal, and purpose in just 30 seconds.
 
It makes me wonder, how I would describe myself; can I be summed up in 30 seconds?
 
This upcoming Monday, Tu Bishvat, the 15th of Shevat, is known as the New Year for the Trees. It is the day that the earliest blooming trees begin their new fruit-bearing cycle.
 
How does this apply to us? The Torah tells us, "For the man is like the tree of the field."
 
My dear friend, this is our "Super Bowl Ad."
 
Each and every one of us is a tree. Though it starts out as a tiny little seed, it has infinite potential.
 
And just like the young tender tree must be properly guarded and braced to grow straight and tall, we must tend to our young ones, with the proper education and care so that they grow up to be proud of their Jewish heritage.
 
Let us not forget the fruit. Each of us must bear fruit; we must each positively influence our family and friends, so that they too go on to influence their acquaintances, so that together we can spread enough goodness and kindness to change the world for good. All from one little seed.