Perek Shira: The Song of Existence - The Song of the Seas 2
by Rabbi Shmuel Kraines
The ocean says: “More than the sounds of the great, mighty waters and the breaking ocean waves, mighty on high is Hashem”. (Tehillim 93:4)
The rivers say: “The rivers will clap hands; the mountains will praise in unison.” (Tehillim 98:8).
The river’s song is part of the joyous depiction of the forthcoming redemption, when Hashem will rectify the world with justice. Then, rivers will seem to excitedly clap hands as they stream down the mountainsides. To a lesser degree, they sing of Hashem’s dominion that is apparent even today.
The rivers teach a profound lesson. Although the waters of the river flow downhill, which could be considered a lessening of their strength and importance, they nonetheless do so happily, irrigating the land and fulfilling their purpose. So too we should be willing to humble ourselves in order to fulfill the will of our Creator and help people. Even if it involves compromising personal accomplishment, we should do so happily, with the liveliness of the clapping river.
*In loving memory of Harav Zeev Shlomo ben Zecharia Leib
