At Camden Market the other day, I saw this image on a t-shirt:

Not only did it make me laugh for a full 10 minutes, but it really made me think how closely we are related to much of the animal kingdom. Scientifically, we are made up of the same cells. Psychologically, we share a lot of the same raw instincts.

Jewish tradition suggests a differentiation between the animal kingdom and human beings. In Jewish thought, humans are given the special gift of being made in the image of God, a reflection of the Divine(Tzelem Elokim), and therefore, they are able to exercise complex spiritual and intellectual functions. Judaism also holds deep respect for animals; on the Sabbath, the animals on one’s farm are supposed to rest along with the farmer. Special laws exist to prevent cruelty to animals, including the obligation to feed one’s animal before feeding ones self.

Animals have always intrigued me. Cuddling with them, watching them, interacting with them. Going to the Zoo is up there with one of my absolute favorite things to do, provided that the zoo provides spacious habitats, that it is dedicated to the well-being of the animals, and that the zoo is engaged in important scientific research. Anyhow, I went to the London Zoo for the first time with my father yesterday and engaged with the wildlife there. It is truly a stunning zoo, boasting a rainforest lookout, gorgeous aviaries, and a walk-through section where you can interact face-to-face with monkeys. I looked a young giraffe straight in the eye, met an Okapi for the first time, saw a mother gorilla clutch her tiny baby, and watched a tiger up close snarl and pace. It was pretty rockin’.

I’ve also been observing wildlife outside of zoological institutions, particularly enjoying watching the pigeons and their antics. I saw my first Tube “rat”, the other day, except they are adorable in comparison with the New York rats. It was a little mouse, no bigger than a fat hamster, which sniffed lazily around the tracks. I’ve seen beautiful birds with saffron-yellow wings and white crowned heads. I’ve watched wood pigeons kneeling daintily outside of the Shakespeare’s globe theatre. Finally, definitely my best urban wildlife story: I was standing outside of my building a few nights ago, talking on the phone, when a large grey fox rushed past! He was scurrying past me so quickly with an awkward guilty smirk on his face, I felt like he was saying “ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodpigeonpigeonpigeon!” Or something to that effect.

Check out this special prayer, called Perek Shirah (“Chapter of Song”), which tells of God’s natural creations in the form of liturgical poetry. If you are interested, see the full text here.

Also of interest is Zoo Torah, a project of Rabbi Natan Slifkin,which is an educational enterprise uses Torah as an aid for wildlife education, and it uses wildlife as an aid for Torah education. Zoo Torah offers a series of books, worldwide programs for both adults and children, zoo tours, and African safaris.

Anyhow, today is the beginning of a new month in the Jewish calendar. This holiday celebrates the cycle of the moon, and it is an exciting time for me to reflect upon the natural world. (Though I find it increasingly problematic to say “natural” as if it is completely separate from the “urban”, cities are ecosystems in themselves.

Anyhow, I’m going to see The Lion King on the West End tonight! I’ve been wanting to see this show for as long as I can remember, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating the wonders of the world through the performing arts.

Also, Okapis? Coolest. animals. ever.