Rabbi Roodyn

The Malbim continues his elaboration of this concept by explaining that the animal kingdom dwarfs the plant kingdom in complexity. For example the power of vision is something we take for granted but is in fact an astonishing feat. He goes on to describe the wisdom contained within the eye in some detail.

The eye is shaped like a ball. The pupil, close to the front, is the opening that allows light to enter the eye. Just behind the pupil is the lens which focuses the light on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is the delicate innermost layer of tissue that lines the eye. It contains layers of light receiving cells called photoreceptors that are connected to the brain by the optic nerve.

If you think of the eye as a camera, the retina is the film on which images are recorded and the macula is the small, central part of the retina. The macula is very important and is responsible for what we see straight in front of us. It allows us to see fine detail for activities such as reading and writing, as well as giving us our ability to see colour.

The eye is but one example of the senses that we share with the animal kingdom, one can and perhaps should spend time studying and appreciating the gifts that Hashem shower s upon us.  The Malbim’s point in spending time focussing on these phenomena is to demonstrate that the  complexity and intricacy of what we can see through the microscope is even greater than what we can see through a telescope.

Certainly as we approach Rosh Hashana we ought to appreciate Hashem’s blessings, especially the ones we tend to take for granted, and show our appreciation for life on this day of judgement.