Omer 2019 Day 8: Meerkats

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Omer 2019 Day 8: Chesed in Gevurah: Loving-Kindness in Bravery
Meerkats

Photo by Mike Bird from Pexels

Meerkats are usually cited as a classic example of "altruism" because they take turns standing guard for the colony and alert others of predators and dangers. So those that participate in the group and stand guard also benefit because there are others who stand guard for it when it's time for that individual to forage for food. Plus, by safe-guarding their own family, their genes get passed along and are more likely to be biologically "successful" through the production of offspring.

This year's animal Omer is a collaboration between myself and my friend Halli, a PhD in animal science. Thank you for counting the Omer with us!