Va’anachnu n’vareich Kah, mei’atah v’ad olam, Halleluyah.
We will bless G-d from this time and forever, Halleluyah.
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This pasuk is actually not part of Tehilim 145, from which the rest of Ashrei (beginning with the third pasuk) is taken. Why was this pasuk added as the conclusion of Ashrei?
The Avudraham, the Meiri, and the Beis Yosef all tell us that our pasuk was added to inform us at this point that one who has conscientiously completed Ashrei (with kavanah and internalizing the messages of emunah, per Rabbeinu Bachya), is considered a “ben Olam HaBa” and will merit to praise Hashem for eternity. This is derived from the words in the pasuk, “mei’atah v’ad olam – from this time and forever” – now we will merit to praise Hashem “from this time and forever.”
This is in accordance with the Gemara in B’rachos 4b that one who says Ashrei three times a day is assured to be a ben Olam HaBa (meaning, even now while in this world). In Ashrei 1, we discussed why one merits such a lofty reward for “saying” Ashrei. In Parshas Tzav, Rabbeinu Bachya (Vayikra 7:37) teaches us that the reward is for the emunah we garner and internalize as a result of saying Ashrei. If you have been with us throughout our study of Ashrei, we trust that you can now clearly see the messages of emunah throughout Ashrei.
We also strongly encourage all to continue the focus on Ashrei, to review it until it is deeply ingrained and that you are able to live it. In Aleinu, we say, “V’yadata ha’yom va’hasheivosa el l’vavecha – You are to know this day and take to your heart…” HaRav Chaim Friedlander zt”l, in his Rinas Chaim on the tefilos of Rosh HaShanah, asks why we need to take to our hearts (that Hashem is Elokim – All-capable, All-powerful, the only true power) after we have it as clear as day in our minds (“V’yadata ha’yom”). We can similarly ask why Chazal felt that we need to say Ashrei three times every day. He answers that even though one has absolute clarity intellectually, he does not really know something until he actually lives it. When we live with emunah in the daily challenges of life, then and only then can it be said that we truly understand the message of Ashrei. Living with emunah, of course, includes being passionate about avodas Hashem. We then have “v’yadata” – progressing to “el l’vavecha – to your heart.”
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Over the next three weeks, b’ezras Hashem, we will provide a brief summary of Ashrei, pasuk by pasuk, to provide a more concise format that can be used as we say it daily. We will include the p’sukim as well, so that it can be printed out and used thrice daily as we recite, internalize, and b’ezras Hashem eventually live it.
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.
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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.
