Chapter of Song (Perek shirah)

Introduction

R. Eliezer said: Whoever engages in Perek shirah in this world will merit to recite it in the world to come, as it is stated: then Moses sang [yashir; Exodus 15:1]. It does not say shar [past tense], but yashir [future tense], in the world to come.

And R. Judah the Prince said: Whoever engages in Perek shirah in this world, I testify that he will be in the world to come. He will be spared the evil inclination, harsh judgments, the destructive accusing angel, all types of harms, the pangs of the Messiah, and the judgment of Gehenna. He will merit to learn, teach, observe, do, and fulfll; his studies will endure with him; he will live a long life; and he will merit the life of the world to come. [ . . . ]

The lion recites: The Lord will go forth as a mighty man, He will stir up jealousy like a man of war; He will cry, He will even shout aloud, He will prove Himself mighty against His enemies (Isaiah 42:13).

The bear recites: Let the wilderness and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the inhabitants of the rock exult, let them shout from the top of the mountains (Isaiah 42:11).

The wolf recites: For every matter of trespass, whether it is an ox, an ass, a sheep, attire, for any lost item, about which one says, this is it, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor (Exodus 22:8).

The fox recites: Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by injustice; who uses his neighbor’s service without wages, and does not give him his hire (Jeremiah 22:13).

The dog recites: Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous; praise is ftting for the upright (Psalms 33:1).

The mouse recites: I will extol you, O Lord, for You have raised me up, and have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me (Psalms 30:2).

The cat recites: Though you make your nest as high as the eagle, and though you set it among the stars, I will bring you down from there, says the Lord (Obadiah 1:4). And when it reaches it, it recites: I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; nor did I turn back until they were consumed (Psalms 18:38), and the mouse recites: But You are just in all that comes upon me; for You have dealt truly, and I have done wickedly (see Nehemiah 9:33).

Creeping animals recite: Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King (Psalms 149:2).

The mighty creeping animals recite: Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine, in the innermost parts of your house; your children like olive plants, around your table (Psalms 128:3).

The snake recites: The Lord supports all the fallen, and straightens all the bowed (Psalms 145:14).

The scorpion recites: The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works (Psalms 145:9).

The snail recites: Like a snail that melts and passes away; like the untimely births of a woman, which have not seen the sun (Psalms 58:9).

The ant recites: Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise (Proverbs 6:6).

The weasel recites: Let all souls praise God; Hallelujah (Psalms 150:6).

Dogs recite: Come, let us bow down and bend the knee; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker (Psalms 95:6).