by Rabbi Ephraim Sprecher
When
I study Parshat Noach, I try to imagine all of the exotic creatures
that G-d created. Therefore, some of my students and I visited the
wonderful and exotic Ramat Gan Safari Zoo. Can one do a Mitzvah at the
zoo? A visit to the zoo is a chance to experience the wonders of G-d's
creation and acknowledge that opportunity with the appropriate blessing.
The Mishnah in Avot 2 states, "Let all of your deeds be for the sake of
G-d." Every act, however mundane and secular, can and should be
elevated to the service of G-d. When we encounter special, exciting and
fascinating sights, our Sages determined to recite a blessing upon
seeing them, thereby connecting them to their Divine creation.
Thus, the Talmud in Brachot 58b states that one who sees particularly
beautiful or strong animals, or especially beautiful trees, or an
exceptionally good looking person recites the blessing, "Boruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Shekacha Lo BÓlamo" (Blessed are You, Our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has such beautiful creations in His universe).
By reciting this blessing, a great Tikkun (rectification) is made, for
people are amazed and marvel at exceptionally beautiful and large
creatures. It is extremely important to connect these feelings of awe
and amazement to their source and give praise to the Creator Who has
such beautiful creations in His universe.
A visitor to the zoo should recite the blessing "Shekacha Lo BÓlamo"
over the first beautiful creature he sees and have intention to exempt
and include all the other beautiful animals with this blessing. The
Talmud in Brachot 58b rules that a person who sees a monkey or an
elephant recites the blessing, "Boruch Ata Hashem Elokeinu Melech HaOlam Meshaneh Habriyot" (Blessed are you, Our G-d, King of the Universe, who makes strange and unusual creatures).
The Meiri explains that our Sages determined to recite this blessing
specifically on monkeys and elephants, because they more than any other
creature arouse particular astonishment, for although they are animals,
they possess a certain resemblance and intelligence, similar to humans.
When we were at the Safari Zoo, we saw a chimpanzee hugging and kissing
her baby just like a human mother would. We also saw the huge and
marvelous gorillas roaming in their natural habitat. One of the gorillas
looked at me and I was astonished when this huge gorilla began clapping
its hands and beating its chest!
These blessings praising G-d for His wonderful creations are recited once in thirty days.
The last Mishnah in Avot states, "Whatever G-d created in the universe,
He created only for His Glory."
Everything in creation, even a gorilla
who claps his hands, is a tool to enhance G-d's Glory. We just have to
open our eyes and appreciate G-d's incredible, wondrous, and beautiful
creations.
***
Parashath Noah
2 comments:
CDG, what you are witnessing is a “Moon Simulator” which they don’t get correctly all the time. Just google moon simulator and also “Sun Simulator” and (being careful of the source) you will find much information. What is bonafide is that our Sun is in a “Solar Minimum” phase, sending few if any sun spot rays to Earth (and rest of solar system) creating weather phenomena and colder temperatures. Seems the Sun does this every so many years. What I am concerned about is the reduction of vitamin D3 for healthy eyes and more. One needs to up their V-D3 with K2 (together) during these months/years of the solar Minimum. Also add to that a good clean bilberry, eyebright, lutein, zeathin combination, with V C. And add to all of this a quality Magnesium, because of our water being desalinated, this vitamin is missing.
The comment above was in reference to a side conversation at End of Days/Years of Awe, Guatemala: The 2nd Nation.
My question to Neshama about moon and sun simulators is over there too. But I liked her nutritional recommendations. - CDG
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