Community Magazine January 2016

TEVET - SHEVAT 5776 JANUARY 2016 59 Torah Talk One of the most noted characteristics of the turtle is its slow and steady pace. The patience that the turtle exhibits is quite remarkable. For example, it takes a mother turtle at least thirty minutes to crawl up the beach from the sea; two hours to create a nest; an hour to lay fifty to 100 eggs; and another half an hour to crawl back to the water. The slow and steady approach of the turtle should teach us the value of composure. The mishna in Pirkei Avot (6:6) lists the virtue of “yishuv” as one the forty-eight qualities through which Torah is acquired. Literally, “yishuv” means dwelling, sitting, or resting. The commentators understand this virtue as either a state of mind – studying with composure and careful diligence – or spending sufficient time learning Torah. Many people tend to speed through the basic texts of the Torah. They are anxious to go beyond the basics and delve into the Gemara and more advanced Torah study. When one tastes the sweetness of an intricate sugya , he understandably becomes very excited and wants to jump ahead for more. However, our mishna charges us with an important word of caution. We must take care to study with patience and diligence. In all our enthusiasm to acquire Torah knowledge, it must still always be based on the slow and steady, on the mastering of the fundamental texts as well as the nuances and languages of the Sages. There are no shortcuts. The trait of the turtle reminds us that although it is usually an advantage to do things in a quick and lively way, it is certainly no good to be carelessly hasty. Very often one can accomplish more by doing things slowly but surely. 1,000 to One Shot Only one of 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survive to maturity.Animals like skunks and raccoons often follow land and freshwater turtles to their nests, then sit and wait for the eggs as they are being laid in order to eat them. If they missed the egg-laying, they dig up the eggs afterward and dine on them. Then, when the hatchlings of the remaining eggs emerge and start crawling toward the ocean, they are often consumed by birds and other animals. In the water, they can be attacked by sharks or other big fish. To make up for the loss of eggs and hatchlings, the Creator has given turtles a long life. Many species of turtles live more than eighty years. A pet turtle could be in a family for generations! During this time span, they can reproduce themselves in sufficient numbers to perpetuate their species. Did You Know? Unlike land turtles and some freshwater turtles, sea turtles cannot retreat into their shells. Incredibly, when female sea turtles are ready to lay their eggs, they return to the same beach where they were born, even though it might be thirty years later and the appearance of the beach may have changed! Although sea turtles can remain submerged for hours at a time while resting or sleeping, they usually come up to the water surface several times each hour to breathe. Sea turtles are able to drink salty sea water, because they have glands near their eyes that remove the excess salt. Sea turtles can swim up to thirty-five miles per hour. Oil extracted from turtles (especially leatherback sea turtles) possesses medicinal qualities. African natives use the oil to cure asthma and skin rashes. Turtles have good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell. Q : What do turtles use to communicate with each other? A : Shell-phones! Excerpts from Exploring the Wild World of Animals, by Efraim Harari, published by Israel Bookshop Publications. Be sure to check out the newest book in this animals series, Exploring the Wild World of Animals & BIRDS. Now available at all Judaica stores and on Amazon. MarvelsofCreation from aTorahPerspective HARARI NEW