THE SONG OF THE STORK
The stork sings of our nation’s return from our long winter’s migration.
[Song 43] Stork (Ch. 4)
חֲסִידָה אוֹמֶרֶת. דַּבְּרוּ עַל לֵב יְרוּשָׁלִַם וְקִרְאוּ אֵלֶיהָ כִּי מָלְאָה צְבָאָהּ כִּי נִרְצָה עֲוֹנָהּ כִּי לָקְחָה מִיַּד יי כִּפְלַיִם בְּכָל חַטֹּאתֶיהָ: (ישעיה מ ב)
The Stork is saying: “Speak to the heart of Yerushalayim, and call to her, for her time has arrived, for her sins have been pardoned, for she has taken double from Hashem hand for all her sins.”
Commentary
The stork has the largest wingspan of all birds, reaching up to 3.2 meters, with
which it can soar across great distances. The prophet Yirmiyahu castigated his
generation for lacking the intuition to follow Hashem’s mitzvos and avoid danger,
contrasting them to the stork which migrates to escape harsh winter climates, and
then returns without fail at the dawn of spring.1 Unlike passerine migratory birds
who fly solely by instinct, storks memorize their routes, learning from older storks.
Yet, that generation strayed from the path of their parents and became lost. The
stork comforts us that we, too, will eventually return, in one of three ways. Either
when our “full measure of exile has been filled”, or earlier, if we repent: “for her
sin has been pardoned”, or, thirdly, Hashem may hasten the redemption by
intensifying the exile: “for she has received from Hashem’s hand twofold for all of
her sins.” The stork also hints to us the way back home. Storks are loyal and kind to each
other. Its very name “Chasida” is derived from “Chesed” – kindness.
If we live with fellowship, Hashem will treat us in the same way, and hasten our return.
LIVING WITH THE SONG
There is no prophet that was able to speak only of the destruction and the exile. All included highly promising
descriptions of the redemption and the nation’s consolation. We are thereby taught to live with hope. Our laughter
will not fill our mouths until the return of Hashem but can feel consolation even now that this will indeed occur.
If we live with fellowship Hashem Himself will likewise treat us with fellowship. He will recall His covenant of
marriage to us and redeem us speedily, without delaying the appointed time.
Inspirational commentary By Shmuel Ben-Tzion Kraines author of
The Song of Existence.