The farmer stood on the hillside and surveyed the land before him.

Before planting a single tree or vine, he had to understand the ground. Would olive trees thrive in the rocky limestone soil? Would the hillside hold or shed the winter rains? A poor decision could cost years.

The work was slow and demanding. Stones had to be cleared, many of them becoming the terraces that would hold the precious topsoil in place through winter rains and long, dry summers. Then came the planting and the long wait. Olive trees could take years before yielding a worthwhile crop. The vines matured sooner, yet demanded constant pruning and care. Spring blossom carried hope, but wind, drought or hail could still destroy what had begun so promisingly.

The farmer could prepare the soil, build the terraces and tend the orchard, but the harvest itself remained in the hands of Hashem.

Even when the trees........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)