FIG TREE AT SINAI

Fig Tree
Prior to Amputation

© Joy Krauthammer 

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/02/fig-tree-at-sinai.html

FIG TREE AT SINAI

- Joy Krauthammer

My 32 years old,

double trunk

 Mission Fig tree

at sunrise,

filled with potential

stood proudly against the sky

two days before

I cut down the entire top of 'right' trunk.

This devoted fig tree

must have been at Revelation.

Feel its holy Essence,

its power, loving soul and Source.

My responsibility as 'Fig Mama':
to protect

and save the beloved tree

from totally uprooting.

I must take down half

of its remaining top,

the entire top of right trunk.

Blessed, heavily fig-laden in the summer

one trunk bends toward the ground.

With grief today,

at the tree's base

I stood and was strong.

as its body and beauty were felled.

I breathe deeply in great sadness,

shock and horror

at the amputation of its large limb.

I had to choose to save

longer, healthier life for the whole fig tree

with two trunks

and not only lightly prune

the dormant branches.

At shul tomorrow

I shall give the congregants,

the limbs of a tree that was at Sinai.

Dozens of straight, foot-long,

 thick, barren branches,

buds pregnant on tips

with sap beginning to flow

are chosen, pruned, and gifted.

Lev Eisha women, the new Fig Mamas,

will plant, nurture and grow fig trees.

The women and their daughters

send me photos of cherished figs,

miracles from a once barren branch.

Again this year, to honor Tu B'Shvat,

the fig tree gives its present, its gift

to the future

 from generation to generation. 

May my fig tree survive the surgery

   and again next year,

give us its heavenly fruit.

~ ~ ~

 2/1/13  Parshat Yitro

Perek Shirah: The fig tree proclaims, “The one who guards a fig will eat its fruit.” (Mishelei 27:18)

צֵר תְּאֵנָה, יֹאכַל פִּרְיָהּ
AMAYN.

Everyone will sit under their vine and fig tree and none shall make them afraid; 

for the Lord of Hosts has spoken. ~ Micah 4:4 

Enjoy my devotion of 

FIGs: Photos and Poems 

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/02/manna-from-heaven.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/02/figs.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/02/fig-tree-at-sinai.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/12/fig-tree-gives-again.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2014/01/hummingbird-on-fig-tree.html

http://joys-garden.blogspot.com/2013/02/fig-tree-collages.html

http://joys-poems.blogspot.com/2013/08/haiku-fig-etiquette.html

http://joys-joyousjoy.blogspot.com/2012/08/gds-fig-tree-parshat-ki-tavo-moses.html

http://www.chabad.org/theJewishWoman/article_cdo/aid/626326/jewish/Manna-From-Heaven.htm

Psalms of My Soul

http://sephirathaomer.blogspot.com/2011/05/blossoms-of-today-day-19-hod-sh.html

 ~ ~ ~

Fig tree Mama Joy and G*d's abundant big fig tree
grown from a barren branch gift from Italy 32 years ago.
Planted the single barren scion filled with promise, in 1980, from a friend's grandfather's tree.
(Adjacent orange tree on left (next to a grapefruit tree), Joy planted 33 years ago for daughter's birthday.)

Horizontal heavy fig tree trunk

Fig tree roots on northern slope

Figs from Garden of Joy shared at Lev Eisha luncheon Kiddush

Fig photos © Joy Krauthammer

Pick 'em Perfect

Fig tree's 2 trunks upright

Fig tree 1 of 2 trunks horizontal

Fig tree top after lower large branches were removed.
And before full top amputation.

Fig tree's 2nd Generation 2011
In 4th year I ate the fruit of the baby fig tree
and it was delicious.
2013 Tu B'Shvat branches from this tree.
This tree I planted on slope for the animals.

Figtree's Cafe collage © Joy Krauthammer 

Fig tree collage © Joy Krauthammer

 Hummingbird serenely sits high on Fig tree 2 days after tree trunk #2 amputation,
week of Tu B'Shvat, and communicates in song with nearby Mockingbird.
(I feel that this tiny bird is honoring / healing Mama Fig Tree.)

© Joy Krauthammer

~ ~ ~