critters

The Noam Elimelech (Parashath Shemini) brings down a midrash that the Angels asked HaShem why he created the shratzim, insects and vermin? HaShem explained I created them for the prosecution. The Angels didn't understand so HaShem explained further: When the prosecution comes to claim that Bnei Yisrael doesn't deserve to exist, and that they shouldn't have been created, I will explain that the vermin also were created though they serve no purpose, so that's not a good enough reason why Bnei Yisrael shouldn't exist.

Now, perhaps we'll look at cockroaches, ants, spiders, flies, etc a little bit differently?

Personally, I try to learn something from the insects that invade my life. Ants are so dilligent they continue on with their task no matter whether they are succeeding or failing. Silverfish turn to dust when you kill them, to remind us that we are only dust. Flies can fly wherever they want and still end up deep in the refuse--so too, we Jews (who have the wings of Ahavah and Yirah) have to learn from them to use our wings to fly to the right and not the wrong places. Spiders could teach us a lot about patience. And so on.

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