7 Fruits of Israel in Perek Shirah

7 Fruits of Israel in Perek Shirah

The Song of Wheat in Perek Shirah: - “Shir hama'alot, mima'amakim kera'ticha A-donai” - (A Song of Ascents. From the depths I called to You, G-d). (Tehillim 130:1) Explanation: After a grain of wheat falls into the ground, it must completely decompose so that, merging with the soil, it can sprout and produce new growth. Wheat teaches us that even in the most difficult situation, when, G-d forbid, it seems to us that a dense darkness has gathered around us, a person can call out to the Almighty even from the deepest depths of the abyss—and will be heard. Just as the Creator allows a grain to lose its form so that it can be reborn, so too we can be certain that G-d will save us from every hardship and restore us to life and peace. (based on the classic commentary of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, “Perek be-Shir”) The Creation’s connection (ears of wheat) to the Shirah: When wheat is sown, the seed rots, and only afterward does an ear emerge from it. This teaches a person that even if he is in deep distress (G-d forbid), he should pray to the Almighty, and surely the Almighty will deliver him from his troubles and make his path successful. The Song of Barley in Perek Shirah: - “Tefillah le-ani ki ya'atof, velifnei A-donai yishpoch sicho” - (A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and pours out his soul before G-d). (Tehillim 102:1) Explanation: Barley is the food of the poor. When a person is hungry, he will be happy to receive even a handful of barley grains. Therefore, if we find ourselves in distress (chas v’shalom), we should liken ourselves to a beggar standing at the threshold with an outstretched hand. Like this unfortunate person, we must humble our hearts and turn to the Creator with a sincere prayer, hoping that He will save us. (Rabbi Yaakov Emden, “HaYa'avetz”; Rabbi Moshe Mitrani, “Beit Elohim”) The Creation’s connection (ears of barley) to the Shirah: Barley is sown together with its husk to protect the grain. When the seed deteriorates in the ground and becomes worm-eaten, only afterward does an ear emerge from it. This alludes to a person in distress who wraps himself in his tallit and prays from the depths of his suffering—and his prayer is accepted. The Song of Grapes in Perek Shirah: - “Ko amar A-donai ka'asher yimatzé atirosh ba'eshkol ve'amar al tashchitehu ki verachah vo ken e'eseh lema'an avadai levilti hashchit hakol” - (So said G-d: When there is wine in a cluster of grapes, people say, “Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it”; so will I do for My servants, so as not to destroy them all). (Isaiah 65:8) Explanation: The grapevine says: So said G-d: Do not despair because of the Geulah, which has not yet arrived, for just as there is wine in a ripened cluster of grapes, those who would destroy it will be told: “Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it.” So too will I act for the sake of the righteous, and through their merit I will not destroy the community of Israel. (Malbim on Isaiah 65:8) The Creation’s connection (grapes) to the Shirah: The grapevine itself is useful for nothing—it cannot, for example, be used as timber—and the entire purpose of its existence is solely for the fruit it produces. So too, HaKadosh Baruch Hu, in His mercy, saves the community in the merit of the righteous. The Song of Figs in Perek Shirah: - “Notzer te'enah yochal piryah” - (Whoever guards a fig tree will eat its fruit). (Proverbs 27:18) Explanation: Figs should be picked from the branches as soon as they ripen. It is very important not to miss the moment; otherwise, insect larvae will quickly develop inside the fruit. That is why it is said that a fig tree must be “guarded”—checked day after day to see whether new ripe fruit has appeared, so that it can be gathered from the tree at the right time. A person should feel something similar toward the Torah: one who “guards” the Torah will merit tasting its fruit—enjoying the spiritual riches contained in its wisdom. (Rabbi Mordechai Weinberg on Perek Shirah) The Song of the Pomegranate in Perek Shirah: - “Kefelach harimon rakatech miba'ad letzamatech” - (Your temples are like a slice of pomegranate behind your veil). (Song of Songs 4:3) Explanation: The Song of Songs compares the essence of the soul to a “slice of pomegranate,” containing 613 seeds. In this verse, the soul is compared to the temples, because when one looks at the temples, it is not apparent what lies behind them. So too, the soul conceals the Divine light that gives it life. Nevertheless, it is full, just as a slice of pomegranate is full of seeds. (Malbim on Song of Songs 4:3) The pomegranate tree says: Just as a pomegranate, despite becoming soiled on the outside when divided into segments, is pure within of every defect, so too the “empty” people among you, although they appear empty on the outside, are even they full of mitzvot, just as a pomegranate is full of seeds. And they are “behind Your veil,” as it is written, “they are bound by Your testimony” - עדתך. Read it instead as “Your temple” - רקתך. And just as a person’s temple is close to his eyes, so too the empty people among your nation are like Torah scholars who are perfect in your eyes. The Creation’s connection (the pomegranate) to the Shirah: A pomegranate contains exactly 613 seeds, alluding to the nation of Israel. The Song of Trees in Perek Shirah: - “Az yeranenu atzei haya'ar milifnei A-donai ki va lishpot et ha'aretz” - (Then the trees of the forest will sing for joy before G-d, for He has come to judge the earth). (I Chronicles 16:33) Explanation: The olive tree does not have its own song included in the hymn Perek Shirah. But the voice of the olive joins the chorus of the forest trees singing praise to the Almighty, because the sefirah of Yesod (the sefirah of the olive) includes within it the light of the other sefirot situated above it on the branches of the Tree of Life. The Torah is compared to olive oil. Through the light of the Torah, a person gains the ability to “judge” the world; and when the light of the Torah “judges” (atones for) the earth, then “the trees of the forest will rejoice before G-d.” (Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburgh on Parshat Eikev, the seven species) The Creation’s connection (the trees) to the Shirah: We can see that the trees, swaying their branches as though conversing with one another, reveal that this was implanted in the nature of trees so that in the future it would become revealed and evident that they sing a song to one another. The Song of Dates in Perek Shirah: - “Tzadik katamar yifrach, ka'erez ba-Levanon yisgeh” - (The righteous will flourish like a palm tree; he will grow tall like a cedar in Lebanon). (Tehillim 92:13) Explanation: The date palms say: Just as a flowering palm tree flourishes, so will the righteous flourish; and just as the cedar of Lebanon is tall, so will he rise. The palm tree reminds us that spiritual growth does not happen by itself, but is always the result of human effort and a continual striving to become better. The Creation’s connection (the date palm) to the Shirah: The palm and the cedar are the tallest of the trees, and they were created this way to allude to the righteous person, who will rise above all others. (Rabbi Mordechai Weinberg on Perek Shirah) (Based on the book by H. B. Siegelbaum, “7 Fruits of the Land of Israel”)