Chovos Halvavos turns to the teachings of Chazal to establish our obligation to study Hashem’s creations. From calculating the movements of the stars and planets to contemplating the ordinary wonders of nature, using our minds to understand the world is itself part of our avodas Hashem. Chazal even describe astronomical knowledge as “your wisdom and understanding in the eyes of the nations.”

But this obligation extends beyond astronomy. We are expected to think about life, examine our actions, and learn from the world around us. What can a cat teach us about tznius, or an ant about honesty? As we conclude the second chapter of Shaar HaBechinah, we discover that Hashem gave us minds not merely to possess, but to use.