Respecting Another - Gaining their Respect - and Receiving Honour (+Video Clip)

I found another wonderful video (below article) of some wonderful animals. It seems I keep coming back to them to learn some of the most crucial lessons in life. There are so many "people" around who think of man in the most derogatory of ways, yet they turn to animals in love. Many will donate thousands of dollars to "Save the Whale" foundations and the like, while leaving an orphaned bride to fend for herself. 

Perhaps when I think of this, I myself find myself turning to seeing the wonders of animals in the hope of sharing their lessons to us, so that we can learn to include the beautiful qualities they have, within ourselves. Seeing their beauty should encourage us to behave with each other with at least as much love as many of us bestow upon them. Indeed, the words that G-d recited, "Let us create man" hint to the fact that G-d included all of creation in man. He called all of creation together and brought it all into the being He called "Man." 


On our side, it is up to us to find those beautiful sparks of all creation and bring them out into the world. This may mean turning to a leaf and finding out it's beauty and sharing that part of beauty as a human - with others. It may mean turning to an ant - and finding out it's beauty - and making that a part of our inner being. It may even mean turning to a gorilla - to find out something beautiful about it - to make ourselves just a little more beautiful too! What ever could we learn from a gorilla?!

I wondered about the idea of learning great things from a young person too. How many elderly people would be prepared to humble themselves and learn from a youngster?! I found myself thinking of the gorilla - and a "youngster" by the name of Shimon ben Zoma. Most people don't know him by this name, but rather simply as "ben Zoma" - "son of Zoma." You can find one of his most beautiful teachings in Pirkei Avot chapter 4 Mishna 1. He asks, "Who is honoured?" and answers, "One who honours others!" Ben Zoma was not even called by his complete name, because he was so young, that - so-to-speak, he had not yet gained a status for himself. He was only some 18 years old at the time of saying this statement - and for this reason receives his own honour from his father - Zoma. And yet, he (the "youngster") has something to teach us. It has to do with nothing less than honour and respect! Who would imagine himself listening to such a youngster about advice regarding the subject of "respect"?! But those in the know, know very well that ben Zoma, though just a "youngster" was one of the four outstanding rabbis (together with Rabbi Akiva) who entered into the Pardes - learning and experiencing the deepest secrets of Torah - entering worlds filled - not with gorillas, but with angels!

Ben Zoma can teach us a thing or two about real respect - which as he indicates is about honouring the other. He well understands real respect - because he has seen angels. But what of us (most anyway!) who have never seen angels - but only gorillas?! We need but peak into one story (video below) to see what real respect is.

Imagine it for a moment, a troop of gorillas - lead by "Daddy" a massive beast with a "mean" temper who could probably kill a human with one slap of his arm! They're on their way walking down a path, and you're sitting filming... them! They're just a few feet away. Are you looking to live? If so, bowing your head and not looking directly at the family might be your ticket to "this world." Anything less, could cost you your life! 

Just a little respect to one who is so much stronger can have wonderful consequences though. Suddenly the "baby" comes by and begins to "groom" you... and with love. "Dad" sits and watches just to make sure everything is safe... Later, "Mom" comes by too and she too has some love to give. It even all ends with a kiss... Then it's over, and "Dad" together with the troop leave. Spectacular! Can you imagine the feeling? I mean of being groomed by these powerful beasts of course... On the one hand feeling completely humbled in the presence of "beasts" who can kill with the swipe of their arms. And on the other hand, feeling loved, taken care of, and special. May we even say - feeling "honoured"?

That is truly what life is about. We forget too quickly how great many others truly are. We believe we are already the greatest, that nothing can stop us. We are powerful with large bank accounts to our names, big bodies, attractive and... everything. But every so often, just so easily - something can happen to turn it around. After all, all the money in the world, would not save the man below should he offer it to the gorilla in order that it not hurt him. And all the beauty in the world would not stop the gorilla from any perceived threat to it... Don't forget, "Daddy" is watching...

We are all human, and our most important attribute we could ever own - is to be able to give respect to the other - no matter who they are. To honour them for their greatness - no matter who they are. To respect them because they too might have their own family - or perhaps even just want one! But we forget quickly... 

But what's amazing, what's so special, is not that we give this honour, nor that we show the respect that's actually due. What's really special is that when we do humble ourselves, sit quietly and show the respect where it is needed, we can look forward to good things in turn. We can look forward to the other - one day perhaps, or even right now - taking care of us, "grooming" us and showing us their love. We may even receive a kiss of love - because it was never their intention to hurt. It was only our perception of their being worth nothing...

So the story ends - and we come back to those wise words. Words said by a "youngster" of just 18 years of age. We are not even familiar with his first name. Ben Zoma - the son of Zoma teaches us, "Who is honoured", and he answers, "One who honours others."

For full article see: Wild Gorillas Groom Man During Park Visit

The Compassion of a Cat - a Lesson for Moms, a Lesson for us All (+Video Clip)

If you follow my blog, you'll notice whenever I see a video showing the wisdom of animals, I share it. What does this ever have to do with Torah? Our Sages teach us that we are to learn from everything in life. It tells us that were it not for Torah, we would need to learn from animals. We'd learn about industry from the ant which, though only lives six months, prepares food for much longer (for the generations to come.) We'd learn love from the dove - which has only one mate (and always seems to be with it - have you noticed?!) And we'd learn modesty from the cat.

Of course back in those days, we'd just have to take the Torah at face value as to it's truth. We might however wonder just how much else we could learn from animals. But today, with the plethora of amazing animal videos around, we can turn to these videos made by others, showing the wisdom of animals - things we need to learn ourselves.

The cat may teach modesty - just because of its way of attending to its needs in a modest manner. It's a great lesson to learn - modesty of course! But is there anything else we could learn from a cat?

The video below brings out some beautiful points. It's geared towards moms, and to us all. To those who have been blessed with children - do you treasure your blessing? Always?! When the baby cries, are you ready to soothe it - or do you just sometimes have enough of it all, wishing you could rather sleep longer or just get away from it all?! The real blessing is when we can turn around and see our children for the blessings they are - even when they're no longer babies. Even when they too have started their own families. That care should be impossible to give up.

Even a cat knows how to bring out its internal essential motherly feelings when it comes to the pain of a baby - a human baby - of having to listen to it's crying and wanting nothing less than to soothe the baby, make it feel calm, make it feel loved. That's what we need to be able to do - even when it's not our own. Even a cat can do that. Even a cat can show love - real love. Even when it has claws with which to scratch for protection, it can think of holding back and providing, instead, a soothing touch, and even a kiss to make sure everything is all okay. And later... even a cat can gently remove its calming touch as it considers the possibility that it may still be needed. And only when things are just right again - will it step away - completely. Though even with that, it's still there, watching the baby, hoping that all is well with it.

There's much we can learn from a cat. Indeed, there is much we can learn from all of Creation. It's all here to guide us, to teach us and make us aware that more than anything - we need to grow, every single day. We need to become better, more caring, and more sensitive - especially when it comes to others.

Daniel in the Lion's Den (or Maybe just Kevin...) - with Video Clip

You've probably read the story about Daniel who was thrown into the lion's den. The night passed, but in the morning when the officers removed the large rock covering the den, they discovered Daniel quite well and healthy with a docile lion sitting next to him. One wonders if such things are possible. Can it be that this most powerful of beasts could manage to hold itself back from attacking it's prey? Can it be possible for a man to withstand the power of this beast?! Dare a man even think of attempting to spend but a brief moment in the presence of such power?!

The Torah teaches us that in the days of redemption when the world will be filled with revealed good all around - the wolf will dwell with lamb. And one wonders if such a thing is really possible!

Perhaps such a life is not far off when we look at Kevin Richardson - a unique individual. One wonders what goes through his mind. One wonders how he even considers doing what he does. But perhaps there is a lesson in this for all of us. Perhaps, instead of tormenting animals and torturing animals constantly... perhaps, instead of feeling we are so far superior to them... perhaps if we would but learn to respect everything that should be respected... perhaps then, we could all dare to actually come close to an animal of such awesome strength.

Watching the clip makes one wonder about Kevin... Watch carefully though. Do you see his ego? Do you see his taking charge? Or do you see humility, kindness, appreciation and respect for a creature of this world. Of course this is how he behaves towards an animal. But maybe it's a lesson for how we need to behave towards everything and everyone around us. Whether it's just our innocent destruction of a leaf that we pull off from a tree (for no reason), or whether it's our taking charge over every living creature, or whether it's simply our awesome egos that puff out at anything we believe is worth far less than ourselves - perhaps in all these cases, we would do well to imagine the scenes of the video below and to consider the importance of truly appreciating all of creation. Whether it's appreciating a tree, an animal, a human being (dare we say it!) it seems we still have a long way to go. But peace? It's all possible. It's all there for us. But it's up to us to be humble enough to include the other in our lives, to be there for them, to take the time to understand them, to care for them and to truly show our love for them. Perhaps then, we have the start of a truly G-dly world - one where indeed, the wolf does lie with the lamb. 

As for man, he too will be able to be surrounded by even the most ferocious of beasts, and yet with that will be protected from them all - will be loved by them all - and will be cared for by them all - as he too cares for and loves them.

Look... listen... and learn... Thank you Hashem for  letting us get a glimpse of Your amazing wonders!

Bilam's Talking Horse... Could it be?!

It may not be that time of year when we read about Bilam's talking donkey, but coming across this video made me reconsider just how amazing some of G-d's creatures really are. Of course, they are all amazing! But every now and again, one of them stands out just a little more. I'm at a loss in understanding how such animals work. You may have better ideas than I do about why they behave as they do. But the evidence of such amazing behaviour is becoming clearer and clearer as the days go by. With thanks to video cameras, the Internet and people who simply want to share amazing stories - we are privileged to live in a generation that can look around at creation on a daily basis and be constantly in awe of the creations of the Creator.

I often consider the Gemara in Tractate Brachot that speaks about how King David would sleep - but would not sleep - much like a horse does. I've never really watched how horses sleep and am no authority, but watching this horse has definitely given a new insight into the way in which some horses might indeed sleep! It's unique... it's really special.

I wonder what the Mussar greats like the Chovot HaLevavot would have to say when seeing such wonders of the world. Their books are constantly filled with the thoughts we must internalise as we look around us and be in constant awe of G-d. Sometimes, we get lazy! We see the sky every day, the moon and the stars, and we lose track of the amazing novelty of the sun rising and setting each day. Do we really care?! Does it make us any closer to G-d?! Of course if it was a once off we'd be in amazement! But every day?! Does that actually prove that G-d exists?! The Mussar authorities teach us to take note of every wonder of the world - even when we see it every day, because in fact, everything is indeed a wonder pointing to the Artist who created it.

When of course we get a glimpse - every now and again - into something a little more unusual, this should spur us on into seeing G-d in creation and allowing us to throw off any crazy ideas we have that everything in the world simply exists - just because it does! Bang or not!

So... a horse is a horse is a horse... or is it?!

Unity, Care and Kindness

UNITY, CARE AND KINDNESS

Imagine a world made up of only good things. A world in which even the vocabulary of languages consisted of only good words. Imagine this world for a moment… It would be a world of unity, of care, of kindness. It would be a world of sensitivity, connection. A world where even the word "judgment" would not exist, because each creature would see only the goodness of the other. Each creature would feel only a connection to another. Each creature would want nothing more than to care and be kind to the other.

With a kick back into the world of reality – the world of humans. One in which one man will swallow his fellow alive. A world where a fellow Jew will watch gleefully as the other cries over their financial difficulties, looking forward to taking even more than their own dues. Isn't it a wonder that man has not yet learned to internalise such words as unity, care and kindness?

Even with visible pain showing, man will often do his best to continue his afflictions upon another. Who cares?! And… isn't *this* kindness?! And after all, this is really what unity is all about – while one gains immensely from the pain of the other, the other loses, emotionally, financially, mentally and more. This is true unity then – isn't it?!

And yet, G-d has created animals in the world. Animals whose most basic instincts contain the values of true unity, care and kindness – without even a thought of an ulterior gain. The lion only roars and claws it's prey when it is hungry… but it has no choice. When it is sated however, it has no need to attack – certainly not just for the sake of "more".

Who would think that an elephant could be gentle?! Who would think that a small dog could trust the weight of an elephant upon it?! Who would think they could be friends?! To care for each other – dare we say love each other?! They certainly wouldn't make it if they were clothed in human bodies (with human tongues) – as the "elephant" would delight in the pain it could inflict on the small "dog."

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that one must learn from everything one sees and hears – to add this into one's own service of G-d, to improve one's ways. And indeed, the Torah teaches that were it not for the Torah, we would have to learn from animals. Perhaps were the Torah speaking alive today (not being the closed book it apparently often is,) it may well teach something even stronger. If anything – turn first to the animals (it might say!) and see how they behave and learn from them. And after one has satiated oneself with the values of "animals", one may turn to the Torah, ready to understand now what it actually means to be a human – let alone a Jew.

Actions speak louder than words – of course. And a picture is worth more than 1000 words. So sit back and enjoy this video. Close your latest Torah thriller, and absorb the values of true kindness, care and unity contained in this short video clip. Perhaps it will make a change in you for the better. Perhaps it will awaken a spark inside of you that says, "If an animal can behave like this… then surely, at the very least, I can live my life as an animal – if nothing greater."

Isn't it truly odd… how animals can be so much greater than humans?!

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For another article on this same subject with video, see:

A Lesson in Unity - Learning from Animals

A Lesson in Unity - Learning From Animals

A LESSON IN UNITY – LEARNING FROM ANIMALS

The Baal Shem Tov says we can learn from everything we see and hear. There’s a message in it all. The Torah teaches that were it not for the Torah, we would have to learn from animals. Imagine we human beings with all our greatness and intelligence learning from animals… from an ant (industry), from a cat (modesty), from a stork (kindness to it’s own)…?

What of lions, buffalo and crocodiles?!

For those who enjoy movies over books, skip directly to the first video and then come back and read this – as it includes more than the video.

For those who enjoy the suspense of using one’s own creative abilities in visualizing an event taking place, read this first – and then watch the first video.

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Imagine the scene for just a moment. Out in the veld (a South African word referring to the wide open rural spaces – a place of nature, grasses, shrubbery and trees.)

A herd of buffalo enjoying nature, ready to take a bath (perhaps) in the river nearby – or looking for some herbage to eat. On the other side of this scene, powerful lionesses in need of food – and it’s not grass that they are interested in. The more passive, although powerful buffalo continue their walk. One seems to lead the herd investigating if everything is okay to continue the journey. Meanwhile, a lioness crouches with her pride of lionesses nearby – ready to jump into action, perhaps lucky enough to grab some “food.” But the buffalo suspects something, turns around in haste, and begins running. The entire herd pick up that there is danger and all begin to run for their lives – literally. But a baby buffalo, not yet big enough, not yet fast enough to outrun the power and speed of the lionesses falls behind. A lioness – with all her power – chases the baby buffalo, grabbing it, ready to take it away for the entire pride. As this is happening, her fellow lionesses run with her, ultimately all taking a share of the “prize.”

But the buffalo, now caught in the powerful teeth of the lioness remains partly in the river that she fell into – as the lionesses attempt to draw her out. Meanwhile, a lone crocodile - also in need of a meal, becomes aware of the buffalo in the water and stealthily swims up to the buffalo and then – suddenly – pounces out of the water grabbing the buffalo – now caught between the teeth of both the lionesses and crocodile. Who will win the “prize?”

Eventually the crocodile is unable to hold on, giving up, leaving the prey for the lionesses – well deserved, apparently! But it’s not over yet, because the buffalo have not forgotten their baby – ALSO a part of the group. Just when you thought the entire herd had run – escaping the lionesses, you find out that they had actually run to get HELP! And they return with all the help they can get – some 100 buffalo ready to reclaim their child – a member of their herd!

The lionesses become scared, embarrassed (perhaps!) realising the power behind this unity of buffalo as they stake their claim! What should the buffalo do? They’re certainly strong enough to fight the small pride of lionesses. But they don’t. They’re not interested in fighting. In fact, they’re only interested in one thing – a member of their herd – a baby unable to take care of herself. With disgust, the leader of the buffalo herd give a couple of the lionesses a goring with his horns, sending one of them flying in the air, scared for it's life! Within moments, the lionesses can think of nothing more than their own lives. The “prize” for the day – no matter how tasty and satisfying, is simply not worth the trouble – if it will cost them their own lives… and they flee for their own lives – literally!

As for the buffalo – they return together with their member – their friend, their child – their baby – and leave the danger zone!

All ends well for the buffalo. The crocodile will have to search for his own food elsewhere – and as for the lionesses, they’ll have to spend the day recuperating from the “adventure” of the day – and probably end up without their meal for the day…

Do such things really happen? Watch the video for yourself!

But what can we learn from this? We – the world – the Jewish people, each of us as individuals?

Buffalo want nothing more than the grass they eat. They stick together as a group. They love each other, and even when just ONE baby is in trouble – they’ll do everything they can to save it’s life. Don’t think they’re weaklings either. These animals are filled with a massive amount of power that can do damage – even to the king of the jungle!

Crocodiles are creatures for themselves. They don’t need to work in groups (or floats), because they’re all powerful and cunning all by themselves… swimming along silently, secretly waiting for some prey to come by… then suddenly without a moments notice, pouncing on their prey, dragging them to the bottom of the waters by twisting them around and around until their life is completely over with.

Lions – they want nothing more than the meat they’re made to eat. They’re powerful too – but their power is for capturing their prey – not for protecting those closest to them when confronted by real danger. But, they have no choice, being carnivores, they were created to behave this way. They do, however, value family life – and also understand what unity is about – unlike the cunning crocodile.

What can we say of ourselves? Where do we fit in? Are we crocodiles – alone, living our lives for ourselves, ready to jump on any prey no matter how sneaky we may be in obtaining it? Are we perhaps lions, caring for our small family, but still ready to destroy any other “meat” in our way? Or are we perhaps buffalo? Strong and caring. We need our food, but it doesn’t always have to be meat – and we certainly don’t need to tear every being in our path in order to obtain it. Grass is good enough. Do we value unity and appreciate what it really is all about?

The buffalo understand life. It’s about sticking together and being there for every single member of the herd. And when one of them is in trouble, it will go all out to get EVERYONE involved in order to save the life of this one. Does it then take revenge upon the enemy? Well… perhaps a good goring – but it’s not in any need of anything more. It simply wants to be able to get on with it’s own life – if only the rest of the beasts out there would just leave it alone. It needs to tell them this and must do everything it can to get the message across. But it’s no carnivore – it has no interest in destroying the other – save for when it comes to their having prepared to destroying one of them…

Perhaps we can actually learn something from animals. Perhaps in fact, we need to learn from them. Sometimes we may become so involved in human life – that we tend to forget what life is actually all about. In fact, sometimes, we can even study much Torah, only to find that we still don’t understand these important themes. Unity, love, caring – being there for one’s own. Eating what we need – without having to destroy our fellow in the process.

There is much to learn after all from animals – after all.

But watch the video yourselves. Perhaps looking at life through the eyes of the Baal Shem Tov – and being aware that one can learn much from everything one sees, it will help each of us to focus our attention where it needs to be – more than ever right now. We need true unity – even for a lone member of the flock who seems to have already been taken by the beasts – both physical and spiritual – of this world. Let no Jew be left alone, because the loss of one is the loss of an entire world. No matter who or what he may be, if we can help, it is our duty to, and if we can’t, it is up to each of us to gather the rest of group together to make certain that his life is saved.

The world was created with just one man – to teach that each of us is an entire world. Not only this, but each of us is the very centre of the entire world. Each is important, valuable and a contributor – if only we’ll be there for them, bringing them up, protecting them, and aiding them to ultimately take care of themselves, and thereafter be able to also give to the world.

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I thought I’d figured it all out. But there was more in store. Are lions really the beasts we saw in the previous video? The Torah teaches that when Moshiach comes, the lion will dwell with the lamb. The ferocious lion will be as tranquil as a delicate lamb. What a wonderful world!

This story brought it all out, but you’ll have to watch the next clip to appreciate it’s beauty.

When one is kind to animals – when one behaves towards all in ways of lovingkindness and goodness, one should know that in accordance with the giving so will be the getting. An animal only becomes ferocious because it has been forced by others into a situation where to simply survive it has become the beast it now is. When, however, even a lion is given the care one might give to one’s lamb… then with all its power, the lion turns into a lamb. It is only violent towards its enemy – but to those who have learned how to love, it too bestows its love upon them. Even a lion can be gentle – but it takes us – as human beings – to make it so. Everything in life is reciprocal by nature – and the more we behave in ways of kindness, the more kindness comes back to us.

When Daniel found himself in the “Lion’s Den”, the lions lay docile next to this Tzaddik. When one is a human being – a soul in a body – who directs his life towards G-dliness, then he himself becomes a G-dly vessel. In fact, such an individual could imagine nothing greater than to be kind to all – even to lions. If so, then even the animals know this and will not harm him. Indeed, this is the protection given to a Daniel!

Animals understand kindness, for themselves and for others. Perhaps, as the Torah teaches – we do need to learn much from them. In fact, perhaps we should take a break, look at the perfection of nature, realise that G-d is in charge, and that our duty is to connect with Him, ultimately bringing Him into this world below, so that we feel His manifestation in every inch of this world, and through this, may we be rewarded with the ultimate manifestation of complete kindness as the world enters a realm of complete freedom and goodness, a world of revealed G-dliness, happiness, beauty and caring of every single creature – for every other single creature – with the coming of Moshiach NOW!