THE SONG OF THE LIGHTNING
Lightning is like a cymbal-clash, expressing Hashem’s omnipotence.
[Song 19] Lightning (Ch. 2)
בְּרָקִים אוֹמְרִים. בְּרָקִים לַמָּטָר עָשָׂה מוֹצֵא רוּחַ מֵאוֹצְרוֹתָיו: (תהילים קלה ז)
The Lightning Bolts are saying, “…He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from his storehouses.”
Commentary
Hashem created lightning and their earthshaking thunder in order to humble man
and straighten crookedness in his heart.
It guides us to live responsibly, knowing
that it is Hashem Who watches all and Whose might fills the world. Only after we
are “struck” and “enlightened” by lightning, can rains be showered.
We should live with awe of the Creator and fulfill His Mitzvos with reverence.
Only the humble are fitting receptacles for the bounty that Hashem wishes to
bestow upon us.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
One of the foundations of our trust in Hashem is the knowledge that He is almighty. We can therefore trust in Him in
any situation. He is fully capable of helping those that trust in Him in any state.
Like the wind that flies at will across the world and like the lightning that flashes and crashes unrestrictedly, Hashem
controls His world to the finest detail. As we live our lives with awe of Hashem and fulfill His commandments with
reverence, we too declare the songs of wind and lighting.
All the more so if we adopt the power of the wind and live with the living spirit within us, not allowing hurdles in life
to prevent us from continuing to serve Hashem with joy and not allowing the wicked to distort pervert us from living
the lifestyle of the Torah. At times we have to blow mightily in the face of those that oppose us. Then the winds we
blow and the lightning we blast join in the world’s song of praise to its King.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.