THE SONG OF THE CLOUDS OF GLORY
The Clouds of Glory sing of Hashem’s fatherly care for His chosen nation.
[Song 17] Clouds Of Glory (Ch. 2)
עַנְנֵי כָּבוֹד אוֹמְרִים. אַף בְּרִי יַטְרִיחַ עָב יָפִיץ עֲנַן אוֹרוֹ: (איוב לז יא)
The Light Clouds are saying, “Also he burdens the thick cloud with an overflow; the cloud scatters its light.”
Commentary
When the Jewish people wandered through the wilderness, Hashem surrounded
them on all sides with His Clouds of Glory in order to protect them from the
elements. An additional Cloud floated ahead of them to lead them. They
flattened mountains and killed dangerous snakes and scorpions in their way.
They sing how, contrary to rainclouds which are formed from moisture and
block light, Clouds of Glory are formed “even in clarity”, without moisture, and “shined His light” upon the Jewish nation.
We are obliged to never forget how Hashem sheltered us in the desert. We
should likewise care for fellow Jews that way He did and still does for us.
Thereby, reveal Hashem’s glory in His world.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Hashem housed and protected His nation in the desert in the clouds of glory. He did so as a reward for our
forefather Avraham who hosted wayfarers in the shade of a tree and tended to their needs.
When we likewise host guests and take care of our households, we are continuing the path of our forerunner and
role model and, ultimately, we are emulating the kindness of our Creator.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.