Torah

It seems that each time I am away from home, Hashem grants me new precious gifts to strengthen my tefilah and feeling of connection with Him. There have been several of these gifts over the last few months. This week, while visiting my son in Los Angeles, I ventured into a kollel for a couple of minutes. This was not my usual place of tefilah while there. I noticed a thin but oh-so powerful booklet titled “Davar B’Ito,” containing a summary of a few sichos given by HaRav Matisyahu Salomon zt”l on “the Torah hashkafah in a time of tzarah of war.” These sichos were delivered roughly ten years ago but unfortunately are extremely relevant today.

The Power of Ashrei

Hadar k’vod hodecha, v’divrei nifl’osecha asichah

The splendorous glory of Your power, and Your wondrous deeds I shall discuss.

We are approaching two unique days of eis ratzon (a time of heavenly favor), where our tefilos have even greater power and potential than usual. Taanis Esther and Purim are opportunities we must take full advantage of. The challenge is that we are generally very busy and preoccupied on these days. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves in advance.

The Power of Ashrei

The Ramchal explains that man’s greatest conception of Hashem is as a tov u’meitiv, the good One who seeks to bestow His goodness upon the world – especially upon His chosen nation, Yisrael. Our essential notion of Him is as a loving G-d. Everything else about Hashem, including His judgment and His discipline, are all in the service of this greater purpose. [Rabbi Yonah Sklare, The Breathtaking Panorama: A Sweeping Thematic Approach to Y’tzias Mitzrayim]

The Power of Ashrei

Ve’ezuz nor’osecha yomeiru, u’g’dulas’cha asaprenah.

And of Your awesome power they will speak, and your greatness I shall relate.

The Power of Ashrei

B’chol yom avarcheka, va’ahallelah shimcha l’olam va’ed.