“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh
Parshas Chukas
Pirkei Avos perek 5
9 Tamuz 5776/ July 15
2016
Last week, Rabbis Noach Sauber and Hersh Kasirer, the
learning directors at Camp Dora Golding, launched what they called the “Say
Thank You” program. Rabbi Sauber introduced the program by reiterating to the
campers about the great importance of reciting berachos as a way of thanking
Hashem for all the gifts we take for granted every day. Then he explained that
for the next week, each afternoon during 'Rest Period', when campers frequent
and patronize camp's canteen, he and/or another rebbe would be stationed on the
canteen porch with a marker in hand. Every time a camper would recite a beracha
out loud a box would be filled in on a large poster especially made for this
program. The goal was to have 2500 berachos recited carefully by the end of the
week.
What made the program even more meaningful was that it
was dedicated in loving memory of Rabbi Kasirer's father, Rav Moshe ben Tzvi
Halevi, who was niftar less than a month ago.
The “Say Thank You” program began on Sunday and was an
immediate success. There was an immediate heightened awareness regarding saying
berachos generally all around camp, even not during Rest Period.
On Tuesday morning, Rabbi Sauber was going for an
early morning walk when he noticed a lone white swan swimming serenely in
camp's lake.
It was bizarre because in his over two decades coming
to camp, Rabbi Sauber (as well as myself) never remember ever seeing a swan in
the lake. The swan remained there throughout the day, swimming peacefully on
the lake, even as campers boated alongside it. It became an instant camp
celebrity, and was even named Poochy (I didn't chose the name; I'm just the
reporter).
Then suddenly, as soon as mincha ended, many of us saw
the swan take off and fly over the shul and out of camp. It has not been seen
since. (There are signs posted in camp promising a reward for anyone who
returns Poochy to the lake).
So what's the big deal you ask? We were very intrigued
by the sudden mysterious appearance of the pristine white swan for almost an
entire day. As per Rabbi Sauber's suggestion, I looked up in Perek Shirah what
shirah the swan sings to Hashem. It turns out the swan is not directly
mentioned. But there is the “avaz shebabayis” which is translated as a
duck, which the swan is closely related. (In the Artscroll edition of Perek
Shirah the picture of the avaz shebabayis is of a swan). What is the
shirah of that species?
Remarkably, it’s shirah is “Hodu laHashem kiru b’shemo
- praise Hashem, call out in His Name”. I don't know if there is any other
animal's shirah that seems more directly connected to the recitation of
berachos.
By Thursday afternoon (a day earlier than expected)
camp reached the 2500 berachos mark. The entire camp enjoyed a special dessert
on Shabbos in celebration.
It seems somewhat eerie that a swan settled on the
lake in the center of camp for an entire day, right in the middle of the
berachos contest.
But if you're not easily moved by such
occurrences and aren't impressed with Poochy's berachos connection, still this
article can serve as a chizuk and reminder for all of us to try to recite
berachos with a little more fervor and feeling.
It's been said so often that the key to happiness is
not having more but appreciating more. So whether you hear the swan sing “Hodu
laHashem” or not, we must make sure that we fulfill that song to the best
of our ability!
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum