According to its simple meaning, this verse rhetorically questions the logic of wantonly destroying a fruit tree when you are waging war against a city’s inhabitants: “Is man the tree of the field, such that the tree too is your enemy?” The Talmud, however, interprets this verse as a matter of fact: indeed, man is like the tree of the field.
This comparison teaches us an important lesson regarding the significance of how we educate our children in their formative years, which can be compared to caring for a tree in its earliest stages. An injury in a fully grown tree is not ideal, but it is unlikely to significantly impact the tree’s future. A developed tree is strong enough to recover from the damage, and can continue to grow healthily and fruitfully. In a seed or young sapling, however, even the smallest scratch can be devastating, and possibly ruin the prospects of the tree ever growing straight and tall.
The same is true of our children: compromised standards are undesirable even for adults, but compromise in the education of children can be absolutely devastating! In order to nurture and raise a generation of Jews who are spiritually fit, we must ensure that our children receive a healthy and undiluted Jewish education, especially during their early, formative years.
—Likkutei Sichos, vol. 1, p. 82; Igros Kodesh, vol. 2, p. 82
