The following worksheet can be copy/pasted into a Word file, and used to facilitate any kind of environmental- or animal-related Jewish lesson plan. I used it as a great introduction to my congregation's volunteer day at an animal sanctuary.***
Perek Shirah, literally A Chapter of Song, is an ancient text of unknown authorship, probably dating to the medieval period. It contains verses that are “sung” by 85 components of creation, including the heavenly bodies, and the earth with its mountains, oceans, plants, insects, fish, birds and animals.
The concept behind Perek Shirah is that everything in the natural world teaches us a lesson in philosophy or ethics, and the verse gives a clue as to what that lesson is. The result is the “song” of the natural world, the tapestry of spiritual lessons for life that the natural world is telling us.
Interestingly, Perek Shirah does not mention the song of the human being.
While its origins are mysterious, many commentaries have been written about this text in the past 500 years, attempting to explain the connection between the verse and the creature it is attributed to.
What connections do you see from these excerpts?
What message do they carry for us today?
From the introduction of Perek Shirah:
Our sages of blessed memory said of David, King of Israel, peace be upon him: When he completed the Book of Psalms, he felt proud and he said before the Holy One, “Have you created any creature in Your world that recites songs and praises more than me?” At that moment, a single frog encountered him and said: “David, do not feel pride, for I recite songs and praises more than you. Furthermore, 3,000 parables can be derived from every song I recite.”
From the text:
The Gazelle is saying, “I shall sing of Your strength. I shall rejoice in Your kindness in the morning, for You were a refuge to me, a hiding place on the day of my oppression.”
(Psalm 59:17)
The Bear is saying: “Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the village that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of the rocks sing. Let them shout from the peaks of the mountains. Let them give glory to God, and tell of God’s praise in the islands.” (Isaiah 42:11-12)
The Beast of Burden is saying: “When you eat the fruit of your labors, happy are you and good is your lot.” (Psalms 128:2)
The concept behind Perek Shirah is that everything in the natural world teaches us a lesson in philosophy or ethics, and the verse gives a clue as to what that lesson is. The result is the “song” of the natural world, the tapestry of spiritual lessons for life that the natural world is telling us.
Interestingly, Perek Shirah does not mention the song of the human being.
While its origins are mysterious, many commentaries have been written about this text in the past 500 years, attempting to explain the connection between the verse and the creature it is attributed to.
What connections do you see from these excerpts?
What message do they carry for us today?
From the introduction of Perek Shirah:
Our sages of blessed memory said of David, King of Israel, peace be upon him: When he completed the Book of Psalms, he felt proud and he said before the Holy One, “Have you created any creature in Your world that recites songs and praises more than me?” At that moment, a single frog encountered him and said: “David, do not feel pride, for I recite songs and praises more than you. Furthermore, 3,000 parables can be derived from every song I recite.”
From the text:
The Gazelle is saying, “I shall sing of Your strength. I shall rejoice in Your kindness in the morning, for You were a refuge to me, a hiding place on the day of my oppression.”
(Psalm 59:17)
The Bear is saying: “Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the village that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of the rocks sing. Let them shout from the peaks of the mountains. Let them give glory to God, and tell of God’s praise in the islands.” (Isaiah 42:11-12)
The Beast of Burden is saying: “When you eat the fruit of your labors, happy are you and good is your lot.” (Psalms 128:2)
The Cat is saying: “If you rise up like a vulture, and place your nest among the stars, from there I shall bring you down, says God.” (Obadiah 1:4)
The Mouse is saying, “I shall exalt You, God, for You have impoverished me, and You have not let my enemies rejoice over me.” (Psalms 30:2)
The Fig Tree says, “The protector of a fig tree will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 28:18)
The Rooster says ... at the fifth call ... “How long will you recline, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?” (Proverbs 6:9) At the sixth call, he says, “Do not love slumber lest you become impoverished. Open your eyes; you will be sated with food.” (Proverbs 20:13)
The Large Unkosher Animal says, “When you eat the labor of your hands, you are praiseworthy.” (Psalms 128:2)
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