THE SONG OF THE SPIDER
The spider sings how Hashem’s praise is obvious and comes without Him seeking it.
[Song 52] Spider (Ch. 4)
זְבוּב אוֹמֵר. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאֵין יִשְׂרָאֵל עוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה, קוֹל אֹמֵר קְרָא וְאָמַר מָה אֶקְרָא כָּל הַבָּשָׂר חָצִיר וְכָל חַסְדּוֹ כְּצִיץ הַשָּׂדֶה: יָבֵשׁ חָצִיר נָבֵל צִיץ כִּי רוּחַ יי נָשְׁבָה בּוֹ אָכֵן חָצִיר הָעָם: יָבֵשׁ חָצִיר נָבֵל צִיץ וּדְבַר אֱלֹהֵינוּ יָקוּם לְעוֹלָם: (ישעיה מ ו-ח)
The Fly, when Yisra'Hashem is not busying itself with Torah, is saying, “The voice said, 'Call out.' And he said, 'What shall I call out?' 'All flesh is grass, and all its grace is as the flower of the field.' '…The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our elo'ah shall endure forever.'”
Commentary
King Shlomo marvelled at how the spider is so small, yet great in wisdom. With
its hands it weaves a web, and then sits in its centre like a king in his palace.
It does not have to seek its prey; it waits royally for it to come. It sings that
Hashem, the King of the Universe, should likewise be praised with voliminous
cymbals and trumpets. Hashem should not have to seek a following. Let the
whole world simply open their ears to His praise and come to Him.
The purpose of creation is that Hashem’s name and glory be revealed in His
world. Even within our daily routine, our deeds themselves should exemplify
the pleasantness of Hashem’s ways and sanctify His name, especially when we
are in the eye of the public. As “a light onto the nations”, we have but to perfect
our own conduct, and then to wait patiently for all to follow our lead.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
The purpose of creation was so that Hashem’s name and glory be revealed in His world. Sanctification of Hashem’s
name and speaking of His praise is therefore one of the most fundamental of all Mitzvos.
Whether we like it or not, we are always on show. Every Jew is a living advertisement of Hashem. Be careful to avoid
misdeeds. Even actions that if done by a non-Jew would be perceived as normal must be avoided if when performed
by a religious Jew would be deemed improper.
Spread the good word: Hashem is in this world. Keep the Mitzvos without compromise. Do them even in situations
where others may look at you funny. These are opportunities to show Whose will is the important one. It is mostly in
situations that one is not expected fully to act the way he does that his action bears true weight and meaning.
Hashem’s praise will come to Him whether we participate or not yet we should do our utmost to play our part in His
praise.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.