For Further Reflection:

Early Jewish literature is filled with poetic descriptions of mountains, bodies of water, and other natural wonders. Elsewhere in the book of Psalms, you can find images of rivers clapping their hands and mountains singing, oceans roaring with joy, and trees singing. What parts of nature do you think evoke the greatest joy? What other emotions do you associate with nature? When and how do you experience them?
The images of mountains running and dancing and the sea fleeing evoke a world of nature that celebrates the miracle of the exodus. The rabbis of the Talmud claim that the very existence of the world was dependent on the Jewish people accepting the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Every part of nature was sensitive to our progress towards that destiny. Have you ever experienced a moment when it felt like the whole world should celebrate or mourn with you?