I recently gave a class on Tefilla and saw a very nice thought that pertains to Bitachon.
In the past, we’ve spoken about the concept of saying pesukim of bitachon.
The early Achronim have suggested that throughout the day, one should recite pesukim that strengthen one’s belief and reliance on Hashem. The earliest source for this that I was able to find was the Yerushalmi, the Jerusalem Talmud, which says, in Masechet Berachot,
“this pasuk should never leave your mouth: and it quotes two pesukim:
1 ה׳ צְבָא֣וֹת עִמָּ֑נוּ מִשְׂגָּֽב־לָ֝נוּ אֱלֹקי יַעֲקֹ֣ב סֶֽלָה׃
The G-d of the hosts is a fortress for us, the G-d of Jacob Selah.
ה׳ צְבָא֑וֹת אַֽשְׁרֵ֥י אָ֝דָ֗ם בֹּטֵ֥חַ בָּֽךְ׃
2-The G-d of the hosts, Fortunate is the man who trusts in You.
We say these pesukim more than once a day in our prayers. The Bet Yosef, in describing why we say Hodu before Baruch SheAmar in our daily Pesukei D’Zimra, talks about three units in Hodu. The first two come from Divrei HaYamim, which are words of praise from David HaMelech, from when the Ark was returned from the Pelishtim.
After that, there is a compilation of Pesukim, which the Bet Yosef, in Siman נ, calls Pesuki D’Rachameh, we continue with additional pesukim of mercy. Why? It’s based on the concept that there are certain pesukim that we should always have in our mouths, and they are pesukim of Bitachon.
Therefore, I thought that we would all gain from going through these pesukim, so that every day, when we say them at the end of Hodu, we can pause to appreciate them, and get that hizzuk.
First, we say the two pesukim that we mentioned above, that G-d is the G-d of the hosts and He’s watching over us specifically; and if we rely on Him, we will protected and things won’t happen to us. The Reshit Hochma says that if a person relies truthfully, and cleaves to G-d, he has nothing to fear.
Then we say,
הושיע את עמך
save your nation,
ברך את נחלתך
Bless your inheritance
ורעם ונשאם עד העולם
Lift up the Jewish people
נפשנו חכתה לה׳
Our souls are waiting for G-d’s salvation
עזרנו ומגננו הוא
G-d is our savior G-d is our shield
כי בו ישמח לבנו
We will rejoice in G-d
כי בשם קדשו בטחנו
Because relied on G-d, we know we will one day rejoice in His salvation
We request:
יהי חסדך ה׳ עלינו כאשר יחלנו לך
Hashem’s Hessed comes upon us based on how much we hope to Him
We then continue with other important pesukim of Bitachon, but today we will focus on one in particular: the last pasuk of Hodu, which is a collection of pesukim of Bitachon.
It’s important to realize that the rabbis put everything in our siddur, for us. All the fundamentals that we need to know are there; we just must review them.
The final pasuk is:
וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ בְּחַסְדְּךָ֣ בָטַחְתִּי֮
I rely on your kindness
Not on my own merits, I don’t think I deserve on my own
My reliance is so strong, that even though it didn’t happen yet,
יָ֤גֵ֥ל לִבִּ֗י בִּֽישׁוּעָ֫תֶ֥ךָ ׃
My heart is rejoicing in Your salvation
(I can see that salvation and I’m happy, even though it hasn’t happened yet)
אָשִׁ֥ירָה לַה׳ כִּ֖י גָמַ֣ל עָלָֽי
I will sing to G-d, when He actually brings the salvation to me.
Rav Chaim of Brisk says that to actually sing the song, David HaMelech has wait for the salvation, but his heart was rejoicing even before the fact, because he was relying on Hashem’s kindness.
As we get ready for Tisha B’Av, we have to really believe that Mashiach is going to come, not because we are deserving, but because we
וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ בְּחַסְדְּךָ֣ בָטַחְתִּי֮
rely on Your kindness
A few pesukim before that,
we say אנכי ה׳ אלקיך.... I am Hashem your G-d, that took you out of Mitzrayim. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
This means that Hashem showed us His power when He took us out of Mitzrayim.
And He is just as powerful today when we are in Galut.
Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. I am Hashem your G-d, that took you out of Mitzrayim
B’Ezrat Hashem we will pray, we will hope, and we rely on Hashem for all the yeshuot, and especially for the ultimate Yeshua, the Mashiach.
צפית לישועה
Did you look forward for My salvation?
Not because we are worthy, but because of Hashem’s kindness and mercy. He will save us.
At this point, although the lesson is over, I must mention that we have a Kollel and Yeshiva program at Yad Yosef. Due to the pandemic, and the different challenges people have had financially, our bank account is not where it should be. The first of the month is coming up, and I can’t cover the payroll of the 18 different rabbis that have to be paid. So, I am appealing to everyone out there. I’m relying on Hashem’s kindness, and relying on your kindness. I’m celebrating the Yeshuah already, even though it hasn’t happened yet.
If anyone wants to help, click on the link below:
https://secure.cardknox.com/yadyosefkollel
or send a check to
Yad Yosef Kollel
1036 Ocean Parkway
Brooklyn NY 11230
Or send me an email at
Rabbisutton @gmail.com, and I will bill you if you like.
Tizkeh Lemitzvot, no pressure. As there are a few hundred people that receive this, if everyone gave $100, I’d be in good shape. It usually doesn’t happen that way, though, so think big if you’re able to. Some people are experiencing challenges, but some people are doing very nicely. If you’re doing nicely, please help.
Tizkeh Lemitzvot