Community Magazine December 2019

KISLEV 5780 DECEMBER 2019 89 Efraim Harari Connection is merciful and does acts of kindness, without any thought of reward, so, too, we must try to do the same. However, imitation does have its down side, too. While monkeys are known to be great imitators, their mimicry is not accompanied by any thought or emotion – it is purely “mechanical.” For this reason, a person who does something without real thought or feeling is said to be acting “like an ape.” This is also the origin of the English expression “to ape.” All actions of a human being should be thought out and meaningful, whether it’s an imitation or not. This is especially so regarding the mitzvot we do. Next time you do a mitzvah, do it with kavanah , with concentration and intention, and with joy! It will make a world of a difference, and the reward Hashem will give you for it will be that much greater, too. Available Online and at All Judaica Stores! Presented by The Jewish World of Wonders Fascinating Questions & Answers on the Mysteries of the Animal Kingdom Can be ordered online at: www.israelbookshoppublications.com and Amazon. Monkeys imitate with a purpose, matching their behavior to others’ as a form of social learning. For example, many studies have shown that monkeys are able to discover new methods of obtaining food by copying the behavior of other members in their group. One study observed four groups of vervet monkeys who were living in sanctuaries in South Africa where their behavior could be closely monitored. Each group was offered a fruit that was placed inside a container with a lid which could be popped off to reveal the reward inside. The researchers found that most commonly, the monkeys opened the container by holding it in one hand and using their mouth to pull the lid off. However, in one group, an adult female monkey, named Finger, held the container in one hand and then used her other hand to pop the top off. As the researchers watched, Finger’s more unusual technique quickly spread among members of her group. These results reinforce earlier findings that monkeys typically model the behavior of the adults in their group, which proves that their learning is mainly done by copying. Imitating with a Purpose Vervet Monkey