Rav Shamson Raphael Hirsch Zt"l

I would like to share a thought from Reb. Shamson Raphael Hirsch zt"l- who's yahrtziet is this Shabbos, the 27th of Tevas.
"Other nations habitually are described by the picture of an animal, Yisroel is pictured preferably as a tree. An animal can be killed with a single pressure of the trigger- finger or a single stab of the dagger. But a tree reproduces with every part- the possibility of the continuance of life of the whole. Even if the root is severed, a branch, a twig, a bud, a germ is often sufficient to reinstate the destroyed plant, and save its continued existence" (Shemos 3;18)
The best way to learn about a Gadol and what he stood for is to learn his Torah. In this small piece we see all that Rabbinner Hirsch went through in his life as Rav in Frankfurt. He came to town with all but a small bud left of a tree which was once from the nicest kehillahs in Europe and revived and nurtured it back to its old glory. While leaving all of Klal Yisroel with his eye opening and bright writings. Yehai zichro boroch.