Perek Shira - The Song of the Dove

[Music] [Applause] [Music] the Dove says like the crane and the swallow I shall chirp iku like a dove my eyes raised to the heights Hashem take me relieve me the doves gentle nature and tranquil disposition suggests serenity its soft cool who speaks comfort and peace yet this inoffensive bird is often victimized by the aggression of other beings some indeed suggest that its Hebrew name Yona is related to the word ona meaning oppressed lacking strength and cunning it is hunted by predators and its sole means of survival is to use its wings to fly away and yet this very vulnerability is its song of greatness it lifts its eyes on high and sings a Shem take me relieve me the Dove the symbolizes that we must not rely arrogantly on our own light but rather constantly turn our eyes trustfully heavenward innocent seer prayer the survival of the dove indeed its status as one of the most common birds worldwide is living testimony to the power of its gentle Pooh [Music] the Dove says to Hashem master of the world let my sustenance be as bitter as an olive from your hand rather than sweet as honey from the hands of flesh and blood the point in history at which the dove song was most poignantly expressed was at the conclusion of the flood in the times of Noah the Dove brought to Noah a leaf from the bitter tasting olive tree as if to say that it would rather be fed the bitterest meal by Hashem hand and not be forced any longer to be sustained with sickly-sweet dependency from the hands of man we the Jewish people have survived and flourished by singing the song of the Dove indeed the measure compares us to the Dove we are the smallest and the most victimized of all nations our only strength is through our mitzvahs which the sages compared to wings our spiritual focus lifts us up above all of life's hurdles and pitfalls whenever our people accept even the bitter aspects of life as coming from the hand of a Shem we are singing the song of the Dove Hashem alone is our ultimate hope the destination of our prayers and the source of our successes time and time again throughout world history our very dependency upon him has rendered us undefeatable the sages compare us to the Dove in numerous ways in the same way that once doves bond with their mates they are loyal to each other for life so too once our people knew Hashem at har c9 we have never abandoned him and we are assured that he will never abandon us just as the Dove will not forsake its nest even if it's young or taken from it so to the Jewish nation has not abandoned its nest the holy base emic - even in its destruction and continues to visit its ruins thrice yearly on the festivals and just as the Dove was the bearer of good tidings of hope for new life after the flood bringing light to the world so to the Jewish people will ultimately be a harbinger to the world saying come let us walk by Hashem light you [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]