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Lions and Tigers and Bears!

10/23/2020 02:03:10 PM

Oct23

          Shabbat Shalom! As you know, this week’s Torah portion is Parashat Noah and we are celebrating the animals! There is so much we can learn from animal behavior, and opportunities to model ourselves after the pure nature of our furry loved ones. Talmud Bavli teaches, “Rabbi Yochanan said: ‘Had we not been given the Torah, we would have been able to learn about the virtues of modesty from the cat, respect for other people’s property from the ant and loyalty from the dove’” (Eruvin 100).

          Throughout this parasha, Noah is conspicuously silent, and we are not told about his interactions with the animals on the ark or in trying to bring them on. After the flood, when it came time to start re-establishing life on Earth, he planted a vineyard. Midrash Tanhuma relates a story that HaSatan came and asked what Noah was planting, and Noah answered. HaSatan asked, “What is its nature?” Said Noah: “Its fruits are sweet, whether moist or dry, and one makes from them wine, which brings joy to the heart.” Said HaSatan to Noah: “Do you desire that we should plant it together, you and I?” Noah said, “Yes.” Next HaSatan brought a lamb and slaughtered it over the vine; then he brought a lion and slaughtered it; then he brought a monkey and then he brought a swine and slaughtered it over the vine; and he watered the vine with all their blood. Thus, he alluded to Noah: When a person drinks one cup, they are like a lamb, modest and meek. When one drinks two cups, they become mighty as a lion and begin to speak with pride! As soon as one drinks three or four cups, they become a monkey, dancing and frolicking and profaning, and not knowing what they are doing. When one becomes drunk, they are like a pig, dirtied by mud and wallowing in filth.

          It seems Noah learned from his animal companions to be trusting, just as they unquestioningly marched onto the ark he unquestioningly built, he also unquestioningly accepted help from the Satan. When he becomes drunk and passes out naked, it appears he learned from the animals that it is nice to sleep all day and that clothes are weird, which I can’t really say I blame him for.  

          What do we learn from our own pets, and how do we find ourselves behaving like animals? Some of us take cat naps and some like to horse around, some may enjoy pigging out while others eat like a bird. Sometimes our animals start to act very human, as well! Badger has absorbed Philip’s anxiety and she has started snoring like me when she sleeps. What are some of the behaviors you and your pets have in common?

          This Shabbat let us honor the living things we share this planet with by finding ways to be more like them. May you be as loyal as a dog yet as independent as a cat. May you be strong as an ox yet graceful as a deer. May you be as protective as a mama bear yet as peaceful as a dove. And may we all live together under the beautiful rainbow of God’s covenant to all the Earth’s creatures. Amen and Shabbat Shalom.

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784