Thus water, after having penetrated the soil, is collected in the clouds and seas; light, after having permeated the earth and brought forth the plants -these children of light- is yet concentrated in the sun, the moon and the stars; the seed, after germination in the ground, is taken from the earth to become the ripened fruit, so that the earth will have to receive in order to give again. Thus one immense bond of love, of giving and receiving, unites all beings. None exists by itself or for itself; there is a constant striving of each creature with, through and for the others, on the behalf of the whole, and on the whole on behalf of every creature. Everything receives strength and resources not for itself as such but merely in order to give, to give and thereby attain fulfillment of the purpose of its existence.
"Y-H-V-H (the tetragrammaton) stands for love," say our Sages; "love sustained and sustaining, characterizes the creation of the Earth." Everything in it whispers to you: "Love."
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1) How does Hirsch characterize the processes of nature?
2) What does the "example" of nature teach us about the human place in the world, about human responsibility?
3) How does love express itself in creation?
Time Period: Modern (Spinoza through post-WWII)