תהלים, פרק קמ״ז, פסוק ט׳

God's care in the world is not limited to human beings. His providence extends to all living creatures, particularly the most vulnerable ones who are completely unable to provide for themselves. He supplies animals with their basic nourishment, such as grass and mountain hay, rather than literal baked food [רש״י, מצודת דוד, המאירי, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. God ensures they receive their meals without requiring them to work for it, as animals naturally lack the intelligence, cunning, and physical ability to prepare food on their own [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, אלשיך].

This divine attention is especially clear when observing young ravens, which are considered truly pitiful creatures [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Adult ravens act with unusual cruelty toward their own offspring, abandoning them the moment they hatch. Because the newborn chicks emerge with white feathers, the parents mistakenly believe these are not their true young and leave them behind [תורה תמימה, רד״ק, אלשיך, אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד, המאירי]. Left alone and starving, the tiny chicks cry out in distress. In response, God takes pity on them and miraculously provides food. He causes gnats and worms to grow directly from the chicks' waste, which then enter straight into their mouths [רש״י, רד״ק, אלשיך, מצודת דוד, המאירי].

This event in nature carries a deep spiritual message. The survival of the abandoned raven chicks illustrates how God steps in to help the most helpless beings who possess no power of their own. This mirrors the experience of the Israelites when they are entirely powerless and feel abandoned in exile [רד״ק]. Furthermore, the cries of the young ravens serve as more than just a plea for help; they act as a public declaration to the world. The simple fact that these helpless birds survive proves that securing a livelihood does not depend on physical strength, weapons, or traveling great distances. God has the power to sustain the weakest creature right in its own home, without any effort on its part [מלבי״ם].