Summer vacation means different things to different people, but one of the most common tourist activities of the season is a trip to the zoo. From time immemorial, human beings have been fascinated by exotic animals. Some want to see the ferocious creatures face-to-face, perhaps to allay their fears. Others want a taste of strange and distant places to which they can only dream of visiting.

Since time immemorial, there have been menageries of animals. It is therefore not surprising to discover that, according to Jewish law, there is a proper way to show appreciation for the species one beholds at the zoo.

The Talmud in Brachot 58b states that one who sees beautiful creatures or beautiful trees should say. “Blessed is He Who has such things in His world” (Baruch Atah Ah’doh’nai she’kacho lo b’olomo). One might wonder what one should do at a zoo where, generally speaking, one is delighted by many such beautiful animals. The commonly accepted practice is that upon seeing the first impressive animal (a subjective decision), one should make this blessings while intending that the blessing apply to all the other beautiful creatures one will see.

It is fascinating to note that the sages specified three types of animals over which one should say a variant blessing,  “Blessed is He Who makes strange creatures (Baruch Atah Ah’doh’nai meshane ba’briyot). These specific creatures also happen to be three species that draw the biggest  crowds – elephants, and monkeys. No specific reason is listed in the Talmud for singling out these creatures, but it is fascinating to contemplate whether it is because of the heightened intelligence attributed to these specific animals.

Visiting the zoo is an excellent opportunity to truly appreciate the wonder and diversity of creation. If one visits the same zoo twice in 30 days and recited either or both of the blessings on the first visit, the blessing(s) should not be repeated.