בס"ד
I’m not really a
cat lover. I do have a soft spot for animals but until we took in Reggie eight
years ago, I would have never thought I would adopt a cat. I grew up with a dog
and after I was married we looked after a variety of living creatures; birds,
fish, hamsters, dogs and even a rabbit (against my better judgment). Then one
day, I saw an ad from a friend who was trying to find homes for a litter of
kittens that had been abandoned by the garbage bin. After a couple of weeks,
her plea to rescue these fluffy felines finally got to me. I decided to bring
home a live Chanukah gift for our kids. In fact, Reggie chose us rather than
the other way around as he would not let us leave without him.
Since learning
over the years, it seems that having a pet is really not so simple in terms of halachot,
purity and holiness. Many owners are not aware of the numerous problems that
can arise with these furry mammals, but that is a whole different discussion.
Reggie is an
indoor-outdoor cat. He enjoys the benefits of life in the warmth of our home
including regular meals, yet he is free to run in the outdoors to his little
heart’s content. He has it pretty good.
By contrast, our neighborhood is overrun with street cats. They mostly live out
of the garbage bins and literally fend for themselves. Three brothers recently
found a nice little hideout in the entrance of our apartment. When they aren't out searching for food, they can be found snuggling up together or playing.
Despite their hard lives, these cats seem happy.
Reggie knows he
will be fed and doesn't worry where his next meal is coming from. When he is
hungry, he comes in and there is food and water waiting for him. If, for some
reason, the bowls are empty, a few meows or a different method of grabbing my
attention is all that is needed to have them refilled. If cats possessed human
qualities, it would seem that Reggie should have much stronger emuna
than all those street cats. After all, he trusts in us, his guardians, to
ensure he has all he needs met. He never does without. He knows there is
nothing to worry about and for him, life is good.
Upon deeper
examination, though, it is really the homeless variety that has a much higher
level of emuna. Despite their difficulties in life, they forge on daily
in their struggle for survival. They are always scavenging for food and they
somehow manage to find their sustenance, yet at the end of the day, they are
happy and content.
Although cats are
selfish by nature, whenever we occasionally to throw a few scraps their way (yes,
we’re guilty) they are so thankful, they purr with gratitude. Reggie, on the
other hand, takes it all for granted. I know he appreciates it in his own
animal way, but the trio outside really makes me feel like they are grateful for
anything they receive.
This is something
we should be striving for as well. By being complacent and assuming it is all
coming to us, we are not showing HaShem our gratitude. He doesn't have
to give us anything and we shouldn't be presumptuous about all our blessings.
We could very well be like the street cats, down and out, not knowing where our
next meal is coming from or how we are going to pay our rent or mortgage. We
must constantly pray for even the most basic mercies such as having a roof over
our heads. With emuna, when we realize that it is all for the best, the
Master of the World will provide for us.
Every living
creature has some unique qualities we can learn from. The Gemara in Eruvin
(100:43a line 46) says that we learn tzniut
(modesty) from a cat. A cat is very private in its personal hygiene among other
things.
Perek Shira also tells
of the wisdom we can gain through G-d’s creations. Unlike dogs, cats don’t try
to please others and are persistent in their goals. The cat says, in Psalm
18:38, “I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and will not turn back
until they are destroyed.” While this probably refers to a cat hunting a mouse
for dinner, we can apply it to standing up for what we believe in or resolving to
defeat our adversaries. Yet don’t be fooled into assuming that our successes
come about through our own might.
For the cat also observes,
“If you raise up to place your nest among the stars like an eagle, from there I
shall bring you down, says G-d (Ovadia 1:4). If we are too haughty, HaShem
can surely put us in our place. Physically and spiritually, it is only through
His guiding hand that we can soar to any heights at all.
In these days of turmoil,
when our enemies seek to destroy us and we have no one to turn to but our
Father in Heaven, we must pray that our leaders take heed of the lessons of the
cat as well. We must firm in our resolve to defend our right to exist in freedom
and holiness in the Land HaShem promised us. But only if we act with the
modesty and integrity fit for the children of the King, will we merit G-d’s
Divine protection.
“Blessed is the
man who trusts in HaShem, then HaShem will be his security. I was
young and also have aged, and I have not seen a righteous man forsaken with his
children begging for bread. HaShem will give might to His people. HaShem
will bless his people with peace”. (from Grace After Meals; Artscroll)
Ken Yehi Ratzon – May
it be G-d’s Will!
