Perek Shirah - What is it?
In previous posts I have made comments on Perek Shirah (Chapter of Song), never having sufficiently explained what it is and its significance.
It is attributed to King David and his son King Solomon. It is also known as the "Song of the Universe" by some. "Perek Shirah" consists of six chapters and 84 parts of Creation are represented. As to why such creatures as bees, for example, are not represented, would require a separate discussion. Parts of Creation represented include the inanimate objects, or "domeim", including the earth, sun, moon, plants, or "tzomeiach", such as dates, figs, and apples, and living creatures, or "chai", such as birds and dogs. For a separate discussion of "Perek Shirah" on Rabbi Lazer Brody's web page, please click here.
If one wants a free pdf. "Perek Shirah", click here. [IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO PRINT OUT THE PEREK SHIRAH, PLEASE NOTE IT INCLUDES G-D'S HOLY NAMES. THEREFORE, ONCE ONE PRINTS IT OUT, IT SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT. IF ONE EVENTUALLY WOULD DECIDE TO "DISCARD" OF THE DOCUMENT, IT SHOULD BE PLACED IN A GENIZAH. A "GENIZAH" IS A SPECIAL PLACE DESIGNATED FOR HOLY OBJECTS WHICH ARE FORBIDDEN TO DISPOSE OF. THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE GENIZAH (OFTEN THE RABBI) BURIES THE OBJECTS ONCE THE GENIZAH BECOMES FULL, THE HOLY ITEMS ARE BURIED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "GENIZAH" CONTACT AN ORTHODOX RABBI.]
Some of the creations who take part in "Perek Shirah":
It is attributed to King David and his son King Solomon. It is also known as the "Song of the Universe" by some. "Perek Shirah" consists of six chapters and 84 parts of Creation are represented. As to why such creatures as bees, for example, are not represented, would require a separate discussion. Parts of Creation represented include the inanimate objects, or "domeim", including the earth, sun, moon, plants, or "tzomeiach", such as dates, figs, and apples, and living creatures, or "chai", such as birds and dogs. For a separate discussion of "Perek Shirah" on Rabbi Lazer Brody's web page, please click here.
If one wants a free pdf. "Perek Shirah", click here. [IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU WISH TO PRINT OUT THE PEREK SHIRAH, PLEASE NOTE IT INCLUDES G-D'S HOLY NAMES. THEREFORE, ONCE ONE PRINTS IT OUT, IT SHOULD BE TREATED WITH RESPECT. IF ONE EVENTUALLY WOULD DECIDE TO "DISCARD" OF THE DOCUMENT, IT SHOULD BE PLACED IN A GENIZAH. A "GENIZAH" IS A SPECIAL PLACE DESIGNATED FOR HOLY OBJECTS WHICH ARE FORBIDDEN TO DISPOSE OF. THE PERSON IN CHARGE OF THE GENIZAH (OFTEN THE RABBI) BURIES THE OBJECTS ONCE THE GENIZAH BECOMES FULL, THE HOLY ITEMS ARE BURIED. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON "GENIZAH" CONTACT AN ORTHODOX RABBI.]
Some of the creations who take part in "Perek Shirah":
Dove - יונה
כסוס עגור כן אצפצף, אהגה כיונה; דלו עיני, למרום:אדני, עשקה לי ערבני.
"Like a swallow, a crane, so do I chirp, I moan like a dove; I raise my eyes up on High: HaShem, snatch away [my illness], be my guarantor." (Yeshayahu: 38, 14)
אומרת יונה לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא. רבונו של עולם י-היו מזונותי מרורים כזית בידך ואל י-היו מתוקים כדבש על ידי בשר ודם:
עירובין י"ח ב
"The Dove says before The Holy One, Blessed is He: 'Master of the Universe, may my sustenance be bitter like an olive in Your Hand, and not be sweet like honey by way of flesh and blood." (Eruvin: 18b)
The dove teaches us that we should strive to not be dependent on the gifts of fellow people, but rather recognize that all comes from HaShem and to know that we are dependent upon Him. The dove also teaches sexual modesty. Doves are not promiscuous, but rather remain loyal to one mate throughout their lives. Furthermore, the purity of body and the souls of the Jewish People are compared to the dove. (From Knaf R'nanim)
כסוס עגור כן אצפצף, אהגה כיונה; דלו עיני, למרום:אדני, עשקה לי ערבני.
"Like a swallow, a crane, so do I chirp, I moan like a dove; I raise my eyes up on High: HaShem, snatch away [my illness], be my guarantor." (Yeshayahu: 38, 14)
אומרת יונה לפני הקדוש ברוך הוא. רבונו של עולם י-היו מזונותי מרורים כזית בידך ואל י-היו מתוקים כדבש על ידי בשר ודם:
עירובין י"ח ב
"The Dove says before The Holy One, Blessed is He: 'Master of the Universe, may my sustenance be bitter like an olive in Your Hand, and not be sweet like honey by way of flesh and blood." (Eruvin: 18b)
The dove teaches us that we should strive to not be dependent on the gifts of fellow people, but rather recognize that all comes from HaShem and to know that we are dependent upon Him. The dove also teaches sexual modesty. Doves are not promiscuous, but rather remain loyal to one mate throughout their lives. Furthermore, the purity of body and the souls of the Jewish People are compared to the dove. (From Knaf R'nanim)
(Picture courtesy of Ariel)
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Pomegranate - רמון
כפלח הרמון רקתך, מבעד לצמתך...
"...Your cheeks are like a slice of pomegranate, from behind your veil." (Shir HaShirim: 4, 3) - translation courtesy of Artscroll
The pomegranate teaches that every part of the Jewish People is necessary in order to be considered whole. Those members of Bnei Yisrael (the Jewish People) who are less intent on following the Torah are compared to the peel of the pomegranate, while the seeds are compared to those who strive to lead the Jewish People in the Torah. They are what makes the Bnei Yisrael into a People intent on accomplishing its mission on Earth. However, without the shell, the pomegranate would fall apart, no longer considered to be a fruit. The protection afforded by the physical strength of those who are less inclined in the Torah, help hold the Jewish People together. (Knaf R'nanim) It is through their hishtadlus (physical effort) to defend their fellow Jew that we are all held together. Just as the pomegranate is one, so too, the Jewish People should strive to becomes one, not disassociating from a fellow Jew because of their lack of knowledge or lack of commitment to Judaism. Through increasing achdus (oneness) among the Jewish People, may we merit to make the "peel of the pomegranate" serve as well as the "fruit inside". By doing so all of our enemies will have all the more to fear.
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Frog - צפרדע
ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד
"Blessed is His Honorable Name of Kingship forever and ever."
We learn in the introduction to "Perek Shirah", that upon completing writing the Book of Tehillim, King David pridefully asked if there was any other among HaShem's Creations that says more shirah than he had. Whereupon, HaShem brought the frog to King David. The frog told King David that he, the frog, says more shirah and praises to HaShem than does King David. The frog says that for each song he sings, there are 3,000 parables that can be based on that individual song. The frog says that he sings 1,005 songs. Doing the math, there are 3,015,000 parables that can be made just on the songs of the frog! One of the things we can learn from the frog is that one should devote ones' entire being to the service of HaShem. The above quote, which the frog "sings" in "Perek Shirah", is the pasuk (verse) one says quietly, immediately after the introductory verse of the "Shema". One says the verse quietly (with the exception of Yom Kippur). It is the Malachei Ha'Shareis (HaShem's Ministering Angels) that recite the above pasuk. They are the ones who devote their entire being to HaShem. So too, we should devote ourselves, both physically, through our daily actions, and spiritually, through learning Torah and tefillah (prayer), trying to follow in their example of complete service to HaShem. They make their desire to serve HaShem known (aside from their actions) by reciting the pasuk, "ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד".
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Pomegranate - רמון
כפלח הרמון רקתך, מבעד לצמתך...
"...Your cheeks are like a slice of pomegranate, from behind your veil." (Shir HaShirim: 4, 3) - translation courtesy of Artscroll
The pomegranate teaches that every part of the Jewish People is necessary in order to be considered whole. Those members of Bnei Yisrael (the Jewish People) who are less intent on following the Torah are compared to the peel of the pomegranate, while the seeds are compared to those who strive to lead the Jewish People in the Torah. They are what makes the Bnei Yisrael into a People intent on accomplishing its mission on Earth. However, without the shell, the pomegranate would fall apart, no longer considered to be a fruit. The protection afforded by the physical strength of those who are less inclined in the Torah, help hold the Jewish People together. (Knaf R'nanim) It is through their hishtadlus (physical effort) to defend their fellow Jew that we are all held together. Just as the pomegranate is one, so too, the Jewish People should strive to becomes one, not disassociating from a fellow Jew because of their lack of knowledge or lack of commitment to Judaism. Through increasing achdus (oneness) among the Jewish People, may we merit to make the "peel of the pomegranate" serve as well as the "fruit inside". By doing so all of our enemies will have all the more to fear.
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Frog - צפרדע
ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד
"Blessed is His Honorable Name of Kingship forever and ever."
We learn in the introduction to "Perek Shirah", that upon completing writing the Book of Tehillim, King David pridefully asked if there was any other among HaShem's Creations that says more shirah than he had. Whereupon, HaShem brought the frog to King David. The frog told King David that he, the frog, says more shirah and praises to HaShem than does King David. The frog says that for each song he sings, there are 3,000 parables that can be based on that individual song. The frog says that he sings 1,005 songs. Doing the math, there are 3,015,000 parables that can be made just on the songs of the frog! One of the things we can learn from the frog is that one should devote ones' entire being to the service of HaShem. The above quote, which the frog "sings" in "Perek Shirah", is the pasuk (verse) one says quietly, immediately after the introductory verse of the "Shema". One says the verse quietly (with the exception of Yom Kippur). It is the Malachei Ha'Shareis (HaShem's Ministering Angels) that recite the above pasuk. They are the ones who devote their entire being to HaShem. So too, we should devote ourselves, both physically, through our daily actions, and spiritually, through learning Torah and tefillah (prayer), trying to follow in their example of complete service to HaShem. They make their desire to serve HaShem known (aside from their actions) by reciting the pasuk, "ברוך שם כבוד מלכותו לעולם ועד".
There is so much to write about "Perek Shirah". I am in possession of a "Knaf R'nanim" which is a sefer (book) about "Perek Shirah".
CHOICE QUOTES ON THE POWER OF "PEREK SHIRAH":
The great Kabbalist, the AR"I Z"L: He recommends that one recite "Perek Shirah" every day, for every creation in the world has an angel in Heaven. This follows that which our Sages of Blessed Memory said that every blade of grass is dependent on the spiritual influence in order to grow. Through the ministering angel, appointed as HaShem's messenger over that part of Creation, the creation gets its sustenance and life. However, that ministering angel is unable to relay the sustenance to that creation until they say shirah (song) to HaShem.
As noted above, there are 84 types of creation represented in "Perek Shirah". As we see from the following quote, it is only through the power of the persons' recital of "Perek Shirah" that all the parts of Creation benefit. This is the case as the person composes all of the various aspects of Creation in his being. Furthermore, it is only the person who has a mouth "to sing shirah", thereby acting as the "representative" of the various parts of Creation. It is therefore no surprise that with the person singing shirah, there are 85 parts of Creation singing to their Creator. The gematria (numerical equivalent) of "פה" - "mouth", is 85. It is the person who unites all of Creation with his/her song, thereby providing the "mouth" for Creation.
Rav Ya'akov Emden - Zimras Ha'Aretz: "It is fitting to know that all of the creations, even though they have an angel in Heaven appointed over them, they do not have a mouth to say shirah, except through the person, who they are all dependent on [for the shirah], as it is written in "Chesed L'Avraham".
MaBI"T in his Sefer "Beis Elokim": "Reciting "Perek Shirah" carries more weight and [is on a higher level] from [reciting] Sefer Tehillim (The Book of Psalms)." By reciting "Perek Shirah" one can merit all sorts of salvation from troubles, attain a portion in the World to Come, and it helps one to achieve their purpose in life. It is recommended to say "Perek Shirah" in the morning, as that is when one tends to attain the most pleasure from Creation.
In conclusion: We should learn to better our lives from fellow people as well as from all aspects of Creation. That is one of the powerful lessons we should derive from "Perek Shirah" - to take a lesson from the Creations. The above was only a sampling of a sampling of what can be learned from Creation.
The world is referred to by HaShem, as "טוב" - "good". The Torah is also referred to as "טוב". This makes sense, for, as we learn in the Zohar, HaShem Looked in the Torah and Created the World - the Torah being the "blueprint" of the universe.
What else is good? Birds.
What do I mean? Why specifically birds?
CHOICE QUOTES ON THE POWER OF "PEREK SHIRAH":
The great Kabbalist, the AR"I Z"L: He recommends that one recite "Perek Shirah" every day, for every creation in the world has an angel in Heaven. This follows that which our Sages of Blessed Memory said that every blade of grass is dependent on the spiritual influence in order to grow. Through the ministering angel, appointed as HaShem's messenger over that part of Creation, the creation gets its sustenance and life. However, that ministering angel is unable to relay the sustenance to that creation until they say shirah (song) to HaShem.
As noted above, there are 84 types of creation represented in "Perek Shirah". As we see from the following quote, it is only through the power of the persons' recital of "Perek Shirah" that all the parts of Creation benefit. This is the case as the person composes all of the various aspects of Creation in his being. Furthermore, it is only the person who has a mouth "to sing shirah", thereby acting as the "representative" of the various parts of Creation. It is therefore no surprise that with the person singing shirah, there are 85 parts of Creation singing to their Creator. The gematria (numerical equivalent) of "פה" - "mouth", is 85. It is the person who unites all of Creation with his/her song, thereby providing the "mouth" for Creation.
Rav Ya'akov Emden - Zimras Ha'Aretz: "It is fitting to know that all of the creations, even though they have an angel in Heaven appointed over them, they do not have a mouth to say shirah, except through the person, who they are all dependent on [for the shirah], as it is written in "Chesed L'Avraham".
MaBI"T in his Sefer "Beis Elokim": "Reciting "Perek Shirah" carries more weight and [is on a higher level] from [reciting] Sefer Tehillim (The Book of Psalms)." By reciting "Perek Shirah" one can merit all sorts of salvation from troubles, attain a portion in the World to Come, and it helps one to achieve their purpose in life. It is recommended to say "Perek Shirah" in the morning, as that is when one tends to attain the most pleasure from Creation.
In conclusion: We should learn to better our lives from fellow people as well as from all aspects of Creation. That is one of the powerful lessons we should derive from "Perek Shirah" - to take a lesson from the Creations. The above was only a sampling of a sampling of what can be learned from Creation.
The world is referred to by HaShem, as "טוב" - "good". The Torah is also referred to as "טוב". This makes sense, for, as we learn in the Zohar, HaShem Looked in the Torah and Created the World - the Torah being the "blueprint" of the universe.
What else is good? Birds.
What do I mean? Why specifically birds?