Nature’s Symphony – The Song of Creation - Episode 7

This transcription discusses the concept of all of creation, including nature, animals, and even the smallest frog, actively praising and connecting with Hashem through their own unique forms of tefillah (prayer). The verses from Tehillim and teachings from Rabbeinu Bechaya highlight the idea that everything in Hashem's world sings His praises. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing our own voices in this symphony of creation and bringing our tefillah with intention and mindfulness. The episode concludes by encouraging us to reflect on how our tefillah connects with the larger world and contributes to the song of existence that fills the world. Imagine for a moment that you're lying in a quiet meadow surrounded by the vastness of nature. You close your eyes and you hear the gentle rustling of leaves, the hum of crickets, and the malevolent chirping of birds. Each sound is subtle yet distinct, weaving together into a natural symphony. The world around you that seems as silent is alive with praise. These sounds, the soft whispers of the wind, the chatter of creatures, the rustling of branches, could be understood as nature's way of connecting to its creator, fulfilling its purpose and the song of existence. Could it be that every tree, every blade of grass, and every creature in its own way is offering a form of tefillah? Today we explore this powerful concept, how all of creation joins in a continuous song of praise to Hashem as presented in Perekshira. Welcome back to Tefillah Today, where we dive into the depths of tefillah and its role in our lives. Today's episode draws us into a concept that challenges us to see beyond the surface, to consider that everything in creation is an active participant in praising Hashem. Devin HaBalakh, in his profound wisdom, offers us glimpses of this in Tehillim. He's teaching us in chapter Samachay, verse Yitgimel, 6513. He writes, Lov'shu Chorim had thrown the Amokim Ya'atu V'ar Yisro'a'o Af Yashiro. The meadows are closed with flocks. The valleys are wrapped in grain. They shout for joy. They also sing. The meadows, Devin teaches us that even the landscape, the fields, the creatures, they're not passive. They are praising, rejoicing in Hashem's world. This verse is a reminder that Tehillim is not merely a collection of beautiful words, but filled with profound teachings. Fundamental lessons of Amunah are faith and the nature of the world Hashem has created. Parakshira, the chapter of song, reveals this concept on an even deeper level, introducing us to the idea that each element of creation, from the heavens above to the plants below, has its own unique song of praise. The heavens declare Hashem's glory as stated in Tehillim, chapter Yatash, verse 2, Pesach B'ez, Hashemayim M'saprim K'vod Kel. The heavens declare the glory of Hashem. Here, we're encouraged to understand that everything Hashem's creation sings. This profound lesson is echoed in the words of Rabbeinu Bechaya, who explains the words Siach, which appears in Sefer Bereshith, chapter 2, verse 5, as the bushes of the world. It also means speech, Siach, speech or conversation. Rabbeinu Bechaya teaches that this word choice, Siach, instead of, for example, Eitz, tree, or Etzei, hints at the idea that all of nature is, in essence, engaged in conversation with Hashem. It's not mere coincidence, but rather, divine intent, how the verse is written to understand that each tree, each plant, and each creature is part of an ongoing dialogue of praise. Here's an illuminating Bereshith about David HaMelech and Yaakov Shimoni. It's in Tehillim, Remez, 1559, that conveys this concept beautifully. It tells us that after completing the book of Tehillim, David wondered out loud if there was any creature in Hashem's world that had expressed more praise than he. And at that moment, a humble frog came forward and said, David, don't think so highly of yourself. I sing more songs of praise than you. And for every song I sing, I have 3,000 parables to explain. This Bereshith reminds us that each creature, no matter how small, plays its part in the symphony of creation. The frog's song represents the innate praise that each creation brings. A reminder that Hashem's world is filled with a multitude of voices, each offering its unique form of praise. The Torah doesn't waste words. Each word and letter is intentional. Chazal teaches that Hashem looked into the Torah as a blueprint when creating the world. The phrase in Bereshith, the whole Siyah Hashata and all the bushes of the field, could have used the word etz, meaning tree, but instead it uses siyah, hinting at speech and prayer, tefillah. This choice shows us that nature itself is engaged in a kind of tefillah. Imagine the power of this. Understanding that even the landscape, the mountains, and the animals are actively acknowledging Hashem's greatness. It's a perspective that can transform how we see the world around us. Tevehamel teaches us the foundational lesson of Amona through his observations in Tehillim and his insight into the praise offered by all creations. It's the trees, it's the trees, animals, and even the smallest frog can engage in a form of tefillah. How much more so should we who are given the power of articulate speech and deep understanding bring our hearts and voices before Hashem. Reflect on this the next time you hear the birds chirping or feel the wind rustling through the trees. Let it remind you of your unique voice in this great orchestra of creation and inspire you to add your own tefillah and renewed intention and mindfulness. As we close this episode, take a moment to consider how our tefillah connects with the larger world. The wind, the rain, the song of the birds, all the creations sing Hashem's praises. Our voices are meant to join this symphony to offer our own words and prayers with mindfulness and joy, contributing to the song of existence that fills the world. Thank you for joining me on tefillah today. In our next episode, we'll continue exploring the profound messages of tefillah as presented by our chazal, uncovering the timeless wisdom that shapes our connection to Hashem.