The Power Of Ashrei
We now return to Ashrei after the last few segments, where we discussed the crucially important words of “Baruch Atah Hashem,” especially as they relate to the ending of all the brachos in Shemoneh Esrei.
When we say the Name of Hashem in the ending of these brachos, we have the great opportunity to internalize the message, more and more deeply, that You, Hashem, Master of all, HaMeitiv (the bestower of goodness and kindness) are the Source of all Blessing.
Through our acknowledgement and praise, we are generating an abundance of blessing and k’dushah above, and “enabling” Hashem to pour down His flow of blessing, compassion, and kindness, which He desires to bestow upon His nation below.
As a segue back into Ashrei, I would like to offer the following thought on the last two p’sukim of Ashrei:
T’hilas Hashem y’dabeir pi…
May my mouth speak the praise of Hashem [forever] so that all people will also praise His holy Name (recognizing that He is the Source of Blessing) for ever and ever.* [T’hilim 145:21]
Va’anachnu n’vareich…
And we (His nation) will praise Hashem (recognizing that He is the Source of Blessing) from now and forever, (so) praise Hashem!* [T’hilim 115:18]
[*Pathway to Prayer Siddur, Rabbi Mayer Birnbaum]
The first pasuk expresses how all people will in the future and forever recognize Hashem’s Perfect “Name” – His perfect Divine Providence of goodness, bestowing kindness – as The Source of all blessing.
The second pasuk expresses how we recognize the same even now and will continue forever. In this pasuk, the Name of Hashem that is used is only two of the letters of the full Sheim Havayah. Perhaps this incomplete Name is used here to declare that even though we do not have the complete picture, because we cannot see how what happens in the world and in our lives is for our benefit, we nonetheless believe absolutely that all that Hashem does is indeed for our ultimate benefit.
The rest of the world does not praise Hashem now for Hashem’s “blessing” because suffering and pain do not feel good. They will only recognize that Hashem’s Divine Providence was truly a blessing in the future, when Hashem opens all of our eyes to how all was truly for the good. We, on the other hand, recognize the truth now, even though we do not understand the “how.” Therefore, we praise Hashem even now, recognizing Him as The Source of all blessing.
The Gemara in B’rachos (4b) states that one who recites “T’hilah L’David” (known to us as “Ashrei”) three times daily is assured to be a “ben Olam HaBa.” Rabbeinu B’chaya (Vayikra 7:37) writes that when one contemplates what the p’sukim of Ashrei are conveying to us, he will strengthen emunah in his heart and mind, and that is what merits him to earn Olam HaBa and be called a ben Olam HaBa.
Hashem has granted us a great opportunity each and every time we say Ashrei – if we put forth effort to contemplate what we are saying, and if we direct what is in our minds to penetrate more and more deeply into our hearts. May we all merit to grow in our emunah daily and earn the coveted title of “ben Olam HaBa.”
To access print versions of previous Tefilah segments, please visit OU Torah’s Search portal, select the Topic of “Tefillah,” and then select “Weekly Tefilah Focus” from the Series list.
•••
For Rabbi Mordechai Finkelman’s video and audio shiurim, which are based on our Tefilah Focus segments but also include his insightful and inspiring additions, please visit TorahAnytime.com or simply search for “TorahAnytime Rabbi Finkelman.”
You can direct any questions or comments to Eliezer Szrolovits at 917-551-0150.
