Roaring with Enthusiasm
Before the outbreak of WWII, my grandfather, Rabbi Chaim Pinto, zy”a, forbade my father from leaving his house. Father, to whom his father’s word was absolute, remained in his home for the duration of forty years. His eyes did not see the sun the entire time. After such a long time of not being exposed to any sunlight, Father’s eyes became very weak. In order to heal them, he had to travel to England. I had the merit of accompanying him to see a top specialist there.
Father asked me to take him to the zoo. He was very eager to see the lion, king of the animals. As we arrived there, the lion was taking his nap. But Father was not deterred. He gazed at the lion with his deep look, and addressed it. “His majesty, the lion,” he began. “You have been chosen as king of the beasts, an appellation attesting to your importance, just as a human king is revered by his subjects.”
The lion seemed to acknowledge Father’s message, as it began moving. Then Father proclaimed, “How great are Your works, Hashem!” For a long while, Father praised Hashem for this awe-inspiring creature, which teaches mankind the meaning of majesty.
