THE SONG OF THE ELEPHANT
The elephant sings of Hashem’s great deeds that He performs with incalculable wisdom.
[Song 69] Elephant (Ch. 5)
פִּיל אוֹמֵר. מַה גָּדְלוּ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ יְיָ מְאֹד עָמְקוּ מַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ: (תהילים צב ו)
The Elephant is saying: “How great are your works, Hashem; Your thoughts are tremendously deep.”
Commentary
Elephant in Hebrew is related to the word "לאֶפ ,"ֶmeaning wonder. Its huge size, elongated trunk, and overlarge ears are unique in the animal kingdom. It is
an imposing mass of tough flesh armed with spear-like ivory tusks, yet it feeds on
nothing more than simple vegetation. One can be certain that all of its strange features
were in truth designed with deep wisdom. It was given a trunk since a long neck for
feeding would not be able to hold its giant head. If it were carnivorous, it would be
difficult for it to hunt enough meat to sustain its colossal body. As a massive being of
wondrous design, it sings of the profound Divine wisdom within all of Hashem’s great
deeds. Standing in the orchestra of the world, do not crane your neck to try to read the music
notes of your neighbor. Your instrument and part are designed exactly according to
your own abilities. Rejoice in your lot and play your part wholeheartedly. The Master
Composer has arranged a song perfect beyond comprehension.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
The elephant’s song is excerpted from Mizmor Shir L’yom HaShabbos — A Psalm of Song for the Shabbos day. This chapter of
Tehillim alludes to the World to Come, an era of complete Shabbos rest for the Universe. Only then, when the world reaches its final state of perfection, will we be clearly able to perceive the true intent of Hashem’s great deeds.
Yet, even in the obscurity of our present world, the elephant’s song is a call to realize that the grandeur and purposefulness of all Hashem’s deeds are beyond our scope of understanding.
Man must sing from whichever vantage point he resides. The strong and wealthy thank Hashem for every element of
goodness they have been given and for the success granted to their endeavors. The weak and poor thank him for sustaining them and protecting them from toppling.
Standing in the orchestra of the world, do not crane your neck to try read the music notes of your neighbor. Your instrument and part are uniquely significant. Rejoice in your lot and play your part wholeheartedly. The Master Composer has arranged a song perfect beyond comprehension.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.