D'var Torah: "Spare the rod and spoil the child, but he who loves his son is careful to discipline him" (Proverbs 13:24). The Hebrew word for "rod" is "shevat." One of our Sages offered an alternative interpretation for "shevat." He revealed that "shevat" alludes to the month of Shevat. The spring begins in Shevat, the trees start to blossom and the chirp of the birds fills the air. The sunshine warms up the land and the earth flowers with a rainbow of colors. This is a perfect opportunity for a parent to show his child the beautiful world that HaShem made. He puts his arm around his son's shoulder and says, "Look how the goodness and sweetness of the Creator fills the world!" The most powerful way to influence our children to be good people, is to share with them the great goodness of HaShem that surrounds us.
Moral: There in no greater opportunity to teach a child about the presence of HaShem than the emergence of Shevat. That is, sharing with him the incomparable joy of the reawakening of life in the springtime.
Application: Envision King David taking his son, Solomon, for a walk in the forest in the month of Shevat. Imagine King David expressing praise to HaShem for the beautiful white blossoms of the almond trees. Hear King David say to his son, "How awesome are Your works HaShem! You made them all with wisdom; the earth is full of your possessions!"
(Based on the commentary of the Chiddah)
