THE SONG OF THE COW
Cows sing about feasting over Hashem’s kingship.
[Song 59] Cow (Ch. 5)
בְּהֵמָה גַּסָּה טְהוֹרָה אוֹמֶרֶת. הַרְנִינוּ לֵאלֹהִים עוּזֵּנוּ הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹהֵי יַעֲקֹב: (תהילים פא ב)
The Cow is saying: “Rejoice to Hashem over our strength, trumpet to the elo'ah of Yaakov!”
Commentary
A cow is a large and powerful animal which docily conforms to the will of its
master, and it therefore sings of Hashem’s kingship. Its song is the opening
phrase of the Levites song on Rosh Hashana, which calls on us to rejoice over
Hashem’s kingship by feasting on meat, even though our lives depend on how
He judges on this day, since we are content with whatever our Merciful God
decides. Similarly, all festivals are celebrations of Hashem’s kingship and
expressions of the cow’s song.
Hashem’s nation need not and should not worry. Our trust in the God of our
Might is in itself a great protective merit, and it conveys a Divine song worth a
cow giving its life for.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Subjugation and conformity are viewed as denigrated behavior, yet when it comes to bowing to the will of Hashem
it is the greatest of virtues. The role of a Jew in exile is to maintain a low profile (R’ Chaim Walkin Shlita). Only
when our values are threatened are we forced to brazenly stand strong.
One’s relationship with others should likewise follow the notes of this song. There is no more powerful retaliation
than silence. Compromise for the sake of peace. One who controls his temper is mightier than the conqueror of
a city. Indeed “the mute” are “the mighty.”
Only when man recognizes that all belong to the Only God and all subjugate themselves to His kingship will the
universe sing with all of its majesty.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.