Weekly Tefilah Focus

In the last segment, we presented one understanding of “l’sakein olam b’malchus Sha-dai” (to perfect the world with the kingdom of Hashem). In this segment, we present two other understandings. In general, when there are various ways that we can understand a particular phrase in tefilah, each person should choose the one that resonates most in his mind and heart, and that will provide him or her with the greatest feeling of connection to Hashem. The idea of tefilah is not to try to memorize all the meanings and have them in mind. That may be appropriate when learning Torah, but not in tefilah.

Having covered the first paragraph of Aleinu in the past, we now begin the second paragraph, starting with “Al kein n’kaveh” (nusach Ashkenaz) or “V’al kein n’kaveh” (nusach Sefard).

L’haavir gillulim min ha’aretz, v’ha’elilim karos yikareisun. L’sakein olam b’malchus Sha-dai…

To remove abominable idolatry from the earth, and that all idols will be totally cut down (destroyed), (and then You will return Your Sh’chinah) to perfect the world with the Kingdom of Hashem (Who set a limit to the creation)…

u’fakdeinu vo li’vrachah (and consider us on this day for prosperity and success): We ask that whatever Hashem decrees upon us should be for blessing, which also implies an increased flow of blessing.

Al kein n’kaveh l’cha Hashem Elokeinu lir’os m’heirah b’siferes uzecha

(Since You are the only power) therefore we hope and trust in You (to save us), Hashem Who takes special care of us, (and) to see, without delay, the glory of Your great strength…

We begin with a brief summary (from Yaaleh V’Yavo 5), from the beginning of Yaaleh V’Yavo until the point with which we ended in our last segment of Yaaleh V’Yavo:

We began Yaaleh V’Yavo with asking that our tefilos rise above the barriers and be accepted.