Blessing the Trees at Zoo with World Record of Animal Species
Thousands of passersby who were strolling through the zoo for their enjoyment rubbed their eyes at the unusual sight, when in front of them stood a large group of children adorned with peyos and wearing kippahs, standing in a semicircle near a fruit-bearing tree, which had just begun to blossom. The children were enjoying the sunshine that finally came that day after weeks of snow that fell in the Russian Federation, during the first part of the month of spring.
The Moscow Zoo is familiar to millions of city residents, who encounter it while passing through the “Kaltso” – the city’s middle ring road, which since its establishment some two hundred years ago has been continuously cultivated, from the Tsars to the leaders of the communist regime. Today, it is considered one of the oldest zoos in the world and was even recognized this year as holding the world record for the number of animal species: 1,253 species from all over the world, with a huge variety of animals from all over the globe, including some that are extremely rare.
Every year in the month of Nisan, the children of the central “Marina Roshcha” shul are invited to a Birkas Hailanos ceremony, by the dedicated Gabaim who operate special programs for the children throughout the year, instilling in them a love of tefilla betzibur, with the singing of “Amen” aloud, the recitation of Tehillim together, and participation in the Avos Uvanim study program. At every appropriate opportunity, special motivational events are held for them, especially on the holiday of Pesach.
These events are held at various attractive locations.
This year, the Gabaim located fruit trees in the city’s large zoo, and the joy of the children and their parents was expressed in the large crowd of fathers and sons who stood together excitedly, proudly observing the Jewish custom publicly.
The event began with the special guest from Jerusalem, educator Rabbi Efraim Fishel Kenig, who tastefully explained, according to the teachings of Chassidus, the difference between what “multiplies” your deeds and what “grows” your deeds, that there are wonders in quantity and there are wonders in quality.
Together with the mechanchim, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Markowitz and Rabbi Avraham Zaks, the children recited Tehillim as well as the 12 psukim that the Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated at every children’s gathering. After that, the children welcomed the Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Berel Lazar, Shlita, who heads the central Marina Roscha shul and constantly encourages the management and the Gabbaim to do everything they can for the hundreds of children who attend the shul. At the beginning of his speech, he praised the successful organization of this gathering, where crowds of sweet children with pure faces, stood together in brotherhood and unity, clearly Hashem’s blessed children.
Rabbi Lazar reminded the parents and children to be careful about looking at unkosher animals unnecessarily, in light of the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s call to take special care and avoid showing small children images of animals that are impure unless there is a special need for it. For example, to teach them about the wonderful creations of Hashem when on a trip to the zoo. Another example would be in order to teach them about the laws of kashrus, as is written in this week’s Torah portion – Parshas Shmini.
After reciting the blessing on the trees, prizes were awarded to all the participants in Chevra Tehillim. The Chief Rabbi noted that we recite the Blessing on the trees specifically in the month of Nisan, which has the letter ‘nun’ twice, symbolizing miracles upon miracles. This teaches us that nature is also miracles upon miracles, for which we thank Hashem and bless Him constantly.
Photography: Levi Nazarov
