THE SONG OF THE EAGLE
The eagle sings of Hashem’s mighty rule, and His fatherly compassion over His nation.
[Song 36] Eagle (Ch. 4)
נֶשֶׁר אוֹמֵר. וְאַתָּה יי אֱלֹהִים צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הָקִיצָה לִפְקֹד כָּל הַגּוֹיִם אַל תָּחֹן כָּל בֹּגְדֵי אָוֶן סֶלָה: (תהילים נט ו)
The Vulture is saying, “And you, Hashem Hashem Tseva'ot, elo'ah of Yisra'Hashem, awake to punish all the nations; do not be gracious to any wicked traitors, Selah!”
Commentary
The eagle is the “King of Birds.” Grand, strong, and fearless, it soars majestically
above other birds, and sits on the top of the avian food chain.2 Paradoxically, though
being cruel to its prey, it displays compassion for its young. When it has to transport
them, it carries them on its wings, symbolizing that it prefers that arrows enter it than
its eaglets. Similarly, Hashem carried us to freedom from Egypt “on eagles’ wings”,
protecting us with His Clouds. When an eagle arrives at its nest, it first hovers above,
so as not to startle its young. So too, if Hashem’s nation is “asleep” regarding the
mitzvos, He awakens them first gently, then with gradually increasing intensity.3
In its song, it refers to Hashem by His four-letter Name of Mercy as well as “Elokim”,
God of Justice, and it bids Him to deal justice on our wicked enemies out of His mercy
for His nation.4 We, too, should utilize unbending justice to maintain the order of
society, yet at the same time exhibit the characteristic Jewish heart and compassion.
To correctly combine opposite character traits is a disciplined wisdom. Its beautiful
display is the song of the eagle.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
Nobody is born with perfect character traits. Those that are kind to others tend to be less self-disciplined, being
kind to themselves. Those that are strict with themselves tend to be likewise strict with others, even when
compassion is appropriate. The receivers of our mercy are also varied in their fittingness, depending on their
relationship to us, their righteousness and other factors.
To correctly exert compassion and strictness, flexibility and might, is a disciplined wisdom. Its beautiful display is
the song of the Nesher.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.