S P E C I A L S

For the week ending 22 January 2022 / 20 Shvat 5782

Perek Shira: The Song of Existence - The Song of the Stars

Become a Supporter Library Library

by Rabbi Shmuel Kraines

The stars say, “It is You, alone, Who is Hashem. You created all of the heavens and all of their hosts, the Earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is within them, and You grant life to all, and the heavenly hosts bow to You.” (Nechemiah 9:6)

Hashem controls the natural world through the astrology of the stars. The varying arrangements of the stars channel different flows of blessing from Hashem: life, wealth, strength, progeny and so on.The uncountable stars shine the praise of the similarly immeasurable G-d, Who guides each of them according to His singular will. The constellations constantly bow in unity in the direction of the western horizon, towards Hashem’s Shechinah, as if to declare: “It is You Who is Hashem — alone.”

We should not let powerful people and difficult situations confuse us. Hashem controls all, and the Jewish People in particular. Moreover, we are compared to the stars. This means that we have the ability to achieve stellar greatness, to rise above the world, to multiply and to control it. The sky is not the limit.

  • Sources: Aderes Eliyahu; Ber. 15:5; Megillah 16a

*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.