Elephants and Judaism: Surprising Connections

This week marks 'World Elephant Day,' an event dedicated to raising awareness about the looming extinction of elephants worldwide. Every year, tens of thousands of elephants fall prey to poaching for their ivory tusks. The most affected species are the African and Asian elephants, with male elephants being the primary targets since female Asian elephants generally lack tusks.

This brutal practice, often referred to as 'The White Hunt,' annually leaves many young elephants orphaned and increasingly aggressive toward humans.

How Does World Elephant Day Relate to Judaism?

Jewish tradition holds the elephant in high regard, particularly for its notable intelligence. So much so that the Sages established a unique blessing to be recited upon seeing an elephant. The Shulchan Aruch instructs that one who sees an elephant should say the blessing which translates to 'Who Diversifies the Creatures.' This is due to the Talmudic teaching that "One must not enjoy anything in this world without a blessing," a reminder to offer gratitude to Hashem for all creations, which exist for human benefit.

Some posit that this specific blessing for creatures like monkeys and elephants was developed because, according to legend, Hashem transformed wicked people into elephants and monkeys during the era of the Flood. Others suggest the blessing is due to the elephant's exceptional intelligence compared to other animals.

Fascinating Elephant Facts Illustrating Their Creator's Wisdom:

- Researchers at 'Washington Park Zoo' discovered that the soft sounds elephants produce resonate through a special sinus in their foreheads, although these sounds are too low for human ears to detect.

- This low-frequency sound allows elephants to communicate over distances of many kilometers.

- When researchers played recordings of these sounds to elephants, they approached the source, responding as if they heard actual elephants.

- Elephants possess phenomenal memory, capable of recalling sights and experiences from a decade ago as vividly as if they occurred yesterday.