Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide

Rabbi Zusya and the Birds Who Wouldn’t Sing: A Story of Tza’ar Ba’alay Cha’yim
(avoiding cruelty to animals)
A version of this story is available in a beautifully
illustrated book by Miriam Aroner and Shelly O. Haas,
The Kingdom of the Singing Birds, published by Kar-Ben.
A long time ago in a faraway village there lived a
kind rabbi named Rabbi Zusya.
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Rabbi Zusya was always interested in the world around him. He spent lots of time just
watching and observing nature. He loved to listen to the birds singing, watch the flowers
blooming, and look at the cows grazing in the meadows.
He also would ask lots of questions. Why do flowers bloom in the spring? Where does
the sun go at night? The more questions he asked, the
more he learned. Rabbi Zusya became very wise. As time
went on, people throughout his village would come and
ask him questions, and Rabbi Zusya always had good
advice for them.
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Now, in Rabbi Zusya’s country there was a new king.
The king had many, many birds that his father,
grandfather, and great grandfather had collected over the years. There were robins, blue
jays, hummingbirds, parrots, parakeets, and oh so many others. But there was a problem:
The birds did not sing!
The king was very sad that the birds did not sing. He called in his advisors for help. The
advisors thought and thought. They suggested that maybe the birds needed better food.
So the king searched all over for the tastiest berries and the freshest grains. But it did not
help. The birds ate all the good food, but still they did not sing. The advisors then
suggested building a bigger and better cage. So the king sent for some of the most famous
craftspeople and they made a beautiful cage out of gold and silver. The birds seemed to
like the cage, but still they did not sing. Well, thought the king, what else can I do? One
of his advisors had heard about Rabbi Zusya and suggested that the king bring him to the
palace.
Rabbi Zusya was a little nervous about going there. He had never been so far away from
home. But he knew it was important and he hoped he would be able to help the king.
During the long journey, Rabbi Zusya noticed very many wonderful things. He saw
mountains and rivers and all sorts of different creatures, both small and large.
When he finally reached the palace, he saw it was more beautiful than he ever could have
imagined. Everything was so big and bright. And then he saw the magnificent cage with
all the different birds – crows, eagles, orioles, and doves. The birds were beautiful, but
not one bird was singing. Not a peep or a chirp!
Vision for Conservative Early Childhood Programs: A Journey Guide
USCJ Department of Education
Maxine Handelman
Handelman@uscj.org
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