THE SONG OF THE FISH
The fish sing of Hashem’s glory within the ocean and of the splendor of His oceanlike Torah.
[Song 56] Fish (Ch. 4)
דָּגִים אוֹמְרִים. קוֹל יי עַל הַמָּיִם אֵל הַכָּבוֹד הִרְעִים יי עַל מַיִם רַבִּים: (תהילים כט ג)
The Fishes are saying, “The voice of Hashem is upon the waters, the Hashem of kavod thunders, Hashem is upon many waters.”
Commentary
Three and a half trillion fish fill the vast oceans in a kaleidoscope of colors, shapes,
and sizes, displayed in all their beauty through the transparent waters. They sing
how Hashem’s voice blessed them to be fruitful and multiply, and to express His
glory within the oceanic kingdom and His kindness of feeding the myriads of
creatures within it. On a deeper level, their song is excerpted from a description
of the giving of the Torah with thunder and rains of “great waters”, symbolizing
the water-like nature of the Torah. The fish sing of this voice since they are like
Torah scholars who swim within the Torah and whose blissful lifestyle is
inconceivable to those on land.
Fish make us aware of the greatness and beauty of Hashem’s world and the
comparative insignificance of petty events and trivial losses in mundane life. We
should focus our energies on eternal spiritual pursuits, such as Torah study and
satiate our souls with its wisdom every day. The more Torah we know, the more
we can appreciate the beauty of the Creator’s voice singing upon the waters.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
If you think you have already taken in Hashem’s greatness as revealed on Earth, turn towards the endless expanses
of the ocean. Hashem’s glory and kindness fill the whole world, earth, air, and sea, and paint it all in brilliant color.
All beings are individually fed by the Creator, in order to benefit us and to reveal His glory. They swim, they
propagate, they sing. And this awesome choir is drowned by the roar of the lead singer, the Livyasan, who
proclaims Hashem’s constant and eternal kindness.
Let this music inspire you to live with an awareness of Hashem’s greatness, majesty and kindness. Realize the
insignificance of petty events and trivial losses in mundane life. Focus on what is important. Thank for what you
understand and have faith for what you do not. One day you will. As for now, live with faith and song, and swim
onwards with the tide.
Focus your energies on your lifelong spiritual pursuits. Let the waters of the Torah purify you, renew you, and
make you great. Once you know how to swim within it, you will not want to leave. Nourish every day with Torah.
Satiate your soul with its wisdom and increase your spiritual wealth throughout your life.
The more Torah you know, the more you can appreciate the beauty of the Creator’s Voice singing upon the
waters.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.