THE SONG OF THE ORDINARY STALKS
Ordinary stalks sing of the glory of so-called ordinary people.
[Song 30] Ordinary Stalks (Ch. 3)
שְׁאַר שִׁבּוֹלִים אוֹמְרִים. לָבְשׁוּ כָרִים הַצֹּאן וַעֲמָקִים יַעַטְפוּ בָר יִתְרוֹעֲעוּ אַף יָשִׁירוּ (תהילים סה יד)
The Other Sheaves are saying, “The meadows are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with grain; they shout for joy, they also sing.”
Commentary
Wheat and barley are offered in the Bais Hamikdash, but other grains, such as
oats, rye, and spelt, apparently lack any connection to holiness. Yet, they too
sing to their Creator. They provide for the inhabitants of Hashem’s world, and
without saying a word, “they trumpet and even sing.”
In the same way that grain-types vary in their refinement and capacity for
holiness, people differ in their status of society, wealth, Torah knowledge, and
role in life. Some are so devoted to the Torah that they live in poverty; for
others, their primary attachment to Hashem is by supporting poor Torah
scholars with their wealth. Everyone fills an essential role of some sort in
Hashem’s universe. Their song rises equally, in a symphony orchestra to the Creator.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
The commentary Perek Bshir explains that the “other grains” are symbolic of those that do not directly connect with
Hashem, similar to the grains that are not offered directly on the Mizbeiach, but rather provide for the world that was
created for the glory of its Creator. Some aren’t capable of great spiritual accomplishment in their lives but might give
of their wealth to support Torah causes. They sing to Hashem no less.
This is true also regarding people. There are times when one is involved in Mitzvos and other times when one eats,
drinks and sleeps. These seemingly animalistic times of the day that take up much of a person’s life seem empty, but in
truth, they are necessary to support the productive part of the day. One who realizes this serves Hashem always and is
never silenced from song.
People may differ greatly in their status of society, wealth, Torah and role in life, but their song rises equally, constantly,
in a symphony orchestra to the Controller of the universe.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.