A tree of life
Aitz Chiam* - A tree of life
*These two words belong to a prayer we say after the Torah is read. Below is commentary on them published in the Artscroll siddur.
The soil gives of its strength and substance to the tree that is planted in it. In this manner the soil ennobles its own substance by having it absorbed into the life and growth of the tree so that the latter blossoms and bears fruit. What is true of the soil is true also of those people who cling to the Torah and let it be their guide. By dedicating all their energies and substance to the spirit of this Law and to the power of the will of God as revealed in its words, they grow and their talents unfold, they are ennobled and refined and bear ripe fruit, and this fruit is none other than chiam, life, for only the Divine ideal, translated into living reality in this manner, can be true life (R' Hirsch).