An old holy rabbi one day announced to his students that he was going to hike in the mountains. “Don’t you think you’re too old for such a strenuous activity?” his students asked in astonishment. “Because when I come before the Holy One, blessed be He,” reflected the old rabbi, “I know the Creator of the Universe will look down at me and say, `So, did you see My mountains?’”
Appreciating beauty is an act of devotion. That is why in Judaism, there are blessings for seeing beautiful mountains, the ocean, flowering trees, and other phenomena of nature. The Talmud advises that one should pray only in a room with windows. To sing to G-d and not see G-d’s world is a contradiction.
We learn that if one should experience shooting stars, thunderclaps, windstorms, and lightning, one should say, “Blessed be He whose power and might fill the world.” On seeing mountains, hills, seas, rivers, and deserts, one should say, “Blessed be He who fashioned the work of creation.” …. For rain and for good tidings, one should say, “Blessed be He who is good and bestows good.” (Berachos 54a) When a man sees beautiful trees or beautiful people, he should say, “Blessed be He who has created such beautiful creatures in His world.”
In the Bible, humanity begins in a garden, and Judaism continues the use of metaphors from nature: It likens the Torah to the etz chaim (tree of life), the Talmud to a sea, and the soul to wind. When we move through the world, we feel its rhythms, we are awestruck by its majesty, and we absorb its beauty. We are doing more than paying homage to the forces of nature; we are offering a deep, authentic prayer to G-d.
We learn that “three things restore a man’s spirit: beautiful sounds, sights, and scents. Three things increase a man’s self-esteem: a beautiful home, a beautiful wife, and beautiful clothes.” (Berachos 57b)
As we enjoy the world around us and marvel at the wonders of creation, let us remember to “Worship the L-rd in the beauty (hadras) of holiness” (Psalm 29:2)
The power of beauty and prayer have long been the thoughts within many of faith, King David wrote, “Honor and majesty are before him, strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.” (Psalms 96:6) As one travels their spiritual path, they many times realize that “Holiness is the greatest form of beauty, and its power lies in love, which is the gift of the Holy One, Blessed be He.” (Apocrypha Aristeas 229).
Each day “Bless the L-rd, mountains and hills; sing praise to Him and highly exalt Him forever. (Prayer of Azariah 1:53). Take the time to see the mountains, trees, and all the beauty of creation that surrounds you.
May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)
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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)
