Ashrei yoshvei veisecha, od y’hallelucha, selah.
Fortunate/praiseworthy are those who can sit in Hashem’s house by directing their minds to Hashem/Torah/chesed/mitzvos wherever they are (except bathrooms and the like). Those who consistently thank Hashem for the goodness in their lives will be fortunate to feel that they are continuously dwelling in the House of Hashem.
Ashrei ha’am she’kachah lo, Ashrei ha’am sheHashem Elokav.
We are truly fortunate that Hashem chose us as His treasured nation and gave us His Torah, which is our guide for living a fulfilling, meaningful, and happy life. Even when we feel we are lacking, we are comforted that Hashem, Who is all-powerful and all-capable, can fill our needs instantly.
T’hilah l’David: Aromimcha Elokai ha’melech, va’avorcha shimcha l’olam va’ed.
I will exalt and lift Hashem up (Aromimcha) by realizing that He is above my understanding. This applies equally to klal and world events (ha’melech) and to events in our personal lives (Elokai).
I will recognize that He is the source of all brachah every day of my life.
B’chol yom avorcheka, va’ahallelah shimcha l’olam va’ed.
I will praise Hashem and thank Him anew for each new day, bitter or sweet, every day of my life.
Gadol Hashem u’m’hullal m’od, v’ligdulaso ein cheiker.
Dor l’dor y’shabach maasecha, u’g’vurosecha yagidu.
Any amount of investigation of Hashem’s greatness and His chesed to us will definitely fall short. That notwithstanding, we must transmit to the next generation (Dor l’dor), as each dor did before us, His “maasim” (actions, creations, nature) and His “g’vuros” (power, which transcends nature) that we have seen in our own lifetimes, in addition to that which has been transmitted to us from previous generations.
Hadar k’vod hodecha, v’divrei nifl’osecha asichah.
Hadar and kavod refer to that small part of Hashem’s actions that are revealed to us through nature. Hod refers to that which is hidden from us. G’vuros and nifla’os refer to miracles that are beyond nature and readily reveal Hashem’s presence. It is important for us to share both the open miracles and what we find behind the veil of nature with others in casual conversation (asichah).
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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or simply search for “TorahAnytime Rabbi Finkelman.”
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