Save the Whales? - Only by Saving Ourselves

Orca, the largest species of the oceanic dolphin family, are also known as Killer Whales, their infamous reputation coming from scary shipwreck stories and documented behaviors of sometimes killing prey without apparent reason (without eating them).

Although known for their intelligence and the extreme care they give to other members of their society, these predators can sometimes be seen tossing prey (such as seals) to each other. They throw the poor creature through the air from one whale to the next until the prey is finally devoured. This may seem cruel by human standards, but Nature is not always kind and gentle.

Sometimes, however, these magnificent mammals are seen helping some of the smaller specimens of their prey: after "playing" with them, the whales will push them to safety on the shore. They have also been observed swimming through schools of smaller salmon species without attacking any of them, regardless of the fact that salmon is the favorite food for some types of Orca.

By that, like all the rest of the animal world, the Orca shows a certain awareness of its environment, which makes it virtually unable to endanger the natural balance on which it ultimately depends. It seems that they are aware on an instinctive level that they have to safeguard their own environment (for example, by not eating prey that's still under-grown and not able to procreate), because otherwise they would seriously endanger their own existence.

Most of us will agree that this is not the case when we put man in the picture. At least, we are not as 'picky' as Orcas (or any other part of nature) when it comes to keeping in balance with the rest of the nature, or with each other.

Now more than ever, global crises in the environment, economy and family are showing us that none of us can harm another, or Nature, without it coming back to us. Orcas are not the only species that are becoming endangered because of direct human behavior (pollution, depletion of prey species, whaling, etc.) - we're doing it to ourselves as well. Just turn on the news - do we really look so perfectly balanced in our interactions with others or even within our own mental health? Is our on-going pleasure hunt really working?

While we are pursuing more money, objects and power without much thought for other people or our surroundings, it seems like everything around us (and inside us) is falling apart. We operate without any realization that we are interdependent. Nature is forcing us to this conclusion, however. It is a process that is speeding up every moment through natural disasters, an economic crisis, wars and hunger.

Even when we slowly begin to realize the implications of our actions, we're still in deep paradox. Even today, when the global crisis starts to look simply unsolvable, most of us in any given moment and without a second thought would "sacrifice" anything around us for personal benefit. That's just the way we are: we can't seem to really feel where our true dependency lies.

According to Kabbalists, there is a reason and a solution for this state and it's simple - we have to learn a different mode of operation from Nature. While the whole of Nature behaves altruistically(caring for its surroundings and inhabitants), man acts egoistically (caring exclusively for his own needs), and by doing so, brings tough blows upon himself.

Kabbalah is a science that shows why it is important to start imitating Nature. All the more so, it gives answers to questions of HOW we can change from our nature of egoism to one of doing good to others (and our environment). In this process, we learn the same thing Nature is trying to teach us by inner and outer blows - but instead, we learn in a peaceful and pleasant manner.

Kabbalists promise that by doing so, we will find the answers not just to our current crises, but also to the question of the purpose of our existence. By following the path of Kabbalah, we can come to the recognition and understanding of forces behind Nature, while still living in this existence that we know as our life and our world:

When all the people in the world unanimously agree to annul and eradicate the desire to receive for themselves within them, and will have no other desire but to bestow upon their friends, all worries and harmful ones will be banished from the earth, and each will be secured a complete and healthy life. In the end, each of us will have a whole world to care for our needs.

--Baal HaSulam - "Introduction to the Study of the Book of Zohar"