S P E C I A L S

Become a Supporter Library Library

by Rabbi Shmuel Kraines

The fields say: “Hashem founded the earth with wisdom;

He established the heavens with intuition.” (Mishlei 3:19)

The fields sing of the interrelationship between the earth and the heavens. Hashem fashioned soil with G-dly wisdom, infusing it with nutrients necessary to grow all types of vegetation. He hung the heavens above with intuition, such that they would continuously bring rains upon the soil and the sun would shine appropriately for each season.

On a deeper level of understanding, the way that the earth is dependent on the heavens can be applied to Man. Man is a “miniature world.” The soul corresponds to the heavens and the body represents the earth. Just as the earth is tiny compared to the astronomically vast heavens, the body is incomparably smaller than the soul. And just as the soil is dependent upon the heavens for its life-giving rains, so too the body needs spiritual sustenance in order to actualize its potential. This potential is always there, beneath layers of earthliness, planted by Hashem with wisdom, waiting to be cultivated by the wise.

  • Source: Kol Rinah

*In loving memory of Harav Zeev Shlomo ben Zecharia Leib

© 1995-2024 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at [email protected] and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu

« Back to S P E C I A L S

Ohr Somayach International is a 501c3 not-for-profit corporation (letter on file) EIN 13-3503155 and your donation is tax deductable.