Community Magazine December 2016

The female moose, called a cow, gives birth during the late spring or early summer. She usually gives birth to one calf, although she can give birth to two calves, too. The calf is able to stand on its own within the first day of its life. A newborn calf weighs around three pounds at birth, but it grows up rather quickly. The calf gains around two pounds per day while nursing. Within a couple of weeks after birth, the young calf is even able to swim. The young moose has reddish fur that turns to brown as it matures. After around six weeks, the calf is weaned from its mother, but it still remains close to her until the next spring, before a new calf is born. Although the mother moose is very protective of her young, many calves do not make it past six weeks of age, due to predators such as bears and wolves. The mother moose does not have antlers to defend herself, but she will use her mighty hooves to fight back any predators. She will also charge and deliver powerful and deadly kicks to defeat enemies. Once a moose becomes a mature adult (usually between four and six years of age), it can usually live up to twenty-five years in the wild. Due to its strength and size, an adult moose does not have many predators to be wary of. Brown bears, grizzlies, and packs of wolves, however, do a pose a threat to even an adult moose and will attack it. The moose will fight back and protect itself; it is even capable of killing bears and wolves in self-defense. Young moose or ailing adult moose have many more predators in the wild. They include small bears, cougars, wolverines, and wolves. The moose is an excellent swimmer. However, while swimming in the water, the moose has another serious predator to watch out for: the killer whale. These huge orcas are known to prey upon moose, especially in the waters leading out of North America’s northwest coast. 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 The moose is a powerful but peaceful creature that is content living a tranquil life. This gentle giant prefers to keep to itself and mind its own business. However, if the need arises to stand tall and protect itself and its family from outside dangers, the moose immediately becomes a fierce and aggressive warrior and will do everything in its power to defeat its enemy. This behavior is an honorable trait and one that we should learn from. Of course we should all “love peace and pursue peace,” but if someone provokes us and prevents us from serving Hashem properly, then we are obligated to take immediate action and defend the honor of the Torah (of course in a way that is sanctioned by the Torah). A perfect example of this conduct can be found with Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon Hakohen. Aharon Hakohen was known as the quintessential ohev shalom v’rodef shalom – the one who loved peace and pursued peace. Pinchas, his grandson, was also a tremendous tzaddik who loved peace. Yet when a terrible chillul Hashem occurred, with the public and shameless sinning of Zimri Ben Salu, Pinchas did not stand by quietly. He immediately got up to defend Hashem’s honor and killed Zimri. Hashem was pleased with Pinchas’s action and rewarded him for it. Indeed, there is a time and place for everything; there is a time for peace and a time for standing up to defend one’s values. TORAH TRAITS THE CIRCLE OF LIFE PREDATOR WATCH KISLEV 5777 DECEMBER 2016 73