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13.
AL
HATZADDIKIM
HaRav Yonasan Eibeshutz, Z’tl, writes that this
bracha especially reminds us that we must daven for our Tzaddikim.
As HaRav Eibeshutz writes “Vechol
Zeman SheTzaddikim BaOlam, Bracha VeTova BaOlam.”
In fact, we mention five different groupings of great people at the
outset of the Bracha--Tzaddikim, Chassidim, Zikeinim, Pleitas Sofreihem, and
Gerei HaTzeddek. One can
definitely think about or visualize the five different kinds of great people
who are encompassed by this bracha. For
instance, when reciting “VeAl Ziknei
Amecha Beis Yisroel,” we can think about our Zikeinim and that we are
davening to Hashem that He give them life and good health.
The Seder HaYom writes that
we are really moving up in ascending order through the five groupings, as
the Ger Tzeddek represents an epitome, having raised himself up from being
wholly unaffiliated with the Jewish people, to his current position.
HaRav Eibeshutz adds that when mentioning the term Gerei Tzeddek, we
should reflect upon our love for him/them and be Mekayeim the Mitzvah
DeOraysa of VeAhavtem Es HaGer! After
we mention this wonderful list--beginning with the Tzaddikim and ending with
the Gerei Tzeddek--we add ourselves--V’Aleinu
for Hashem’s consideration. What
a precious opportunity it is to be able to add ourselves to this great list!
----------------------------------------------------
The Kuntres Avodas
HaTefillah brings the Midrash (Tanchuma, Parashas Shmini 11) which
teaches “just as a bird cannot fly without wings--so too can K’lal
Yisroel not function without our Zekanim”.
We therefore ask that Hashem arouse His Mercy (Yehemu NaRachamecha)
upon them--for they are needed by us all.
We also ask that Hashem arouse His Mercy on the Pleitas
Sofreihem. Who are they? The
Kuntres explains that they are the remainder of the Talmidei Chachomim who
are Osek BaTorah and the Melamdei Tinokos--the teachers of school children
who deserve our special mention. Together
with these great group--we are allowed to add ourselves
with the word VeAleinu.
We demonstrate that we want to
be in the right company--and thus plead to be treated likewise.
What a powerful opportunity!
----------------------------------------------------
According to the Sefer BeRumo Shel Olam, there are 42 words in the bracha, corresponding to
the 42 letters in the Pasuk of VaAvarecha Mevorechecha (Bereishis 12:3).
The BeRumo Shel Olam
also brings the teaching of the Tur that this bracha contains every letter of the Aleph Bais.
We ask Hashem that he have complete mercy on us all.
We then plead with Hashem to give a “Sachar Tov L’chol HaBotchim
B’Shimcha B’Emes--a good reward for those who truly believe in You.”
The Steipler Gaon, Z’tl notes that every Mitzvah that one performs
will be rewarded in Olam Habah--why would the Mitzvah of Bitachon be any
different? What are we asking
for here? He answers that we are
not requesting reward in Olam Habah with these words.
Rather, as Dovid Hamelech teaches us in Tehillim (32:10),
“Haboteach BaHashem Chesed Yesovivenu--one who trusts in Hashem is
surrounded by kindness.” Likewise,
as the Navi (Yirmiyahu 17:7) writes, “Boruch Hagever…Vehaya Hashem
Mevtacho--blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem, then Hashem will be his
security.” In these Pesukim,
both Dovid Hamelech and Yirmiyahu Hanavi are teaching us the greatness of
Bitachon--even if we do not merit, even if we are not otherwise worthy of,
Hashem’s Chesed or Security, He may in any event save us in the zechus of
our true Bitachon in Him! Let us appreciate the power of Bitachon--and the
importance of our plea!
------------------------------------------
The
bracha next continues with the words Vesim
Chelkeinu Imahem Leolam--and place our lot with them (the great
persons). HaRav Chaim
Friedlander, Z’tl, explains that with these words we make a deep and
profound request--that, just as with the Tzaddikim, the Chassidim, etc. true
spiritual values guide their life--so to should our lives not be guided by
the material and the mundane, but by the matters that are LeOlam--for
eternity. To bring the
point--and the importance of the plea--home to us clearly, the Anshei
Knesses HaGedola now add the words VeLo Naivosh Ki Vecha Votachnu--so we will not feel ashamed, because we
trust in you. HaRav
Friedlander writes that shame even in this world is one of the greatest
punishments and yissurin that a
person can experience--even if it is only temporary, and in front of someone
who you don’t know well. Imagine,
then, the unparalleled yissurin of shame in front of the
Heavenly
Court
--and
certainly in front of one’s Maker! By
putting ourselves together with the special people in this bracha, we
recognize and affirmatively assert that it is not only technical Mitzvah
performance that is important--but it
is the value, the aforethought, the kavannah, the care, the completeness of
the Mitzvah that we seek as well. We
don’t want there to be a difference between the way a ‘good person’
does a Mitzvah and the way we do! After
davening for this eternally great goal--we should try to put it into
practice when performing a Mitzvah. Try
to daven Shemone Esrei, Learn or do a Chesed or any of the 613 Mitzvos--like
you think Rav A, B or C would!
--------------------------------------
The
Bracha concludes with the words Baruch
Atta Hashem Mishan U’Mivtach LaTzaddikim.
What is the meaning, what is the difference between Mishan and Mivtach?
The outstanding Sefer Talilei Oros on Tefillah provides several beautiful explanations:
a.
The Eitz
Yosef suggests that Mishan
refers to Hashem’s support of us in our Golus in Olam Hazeh, as the Pasuk
states ‘Yekadmuni VeYom Eidi VeYehi Hashem LeMishan Li--they
confronted me on the day of misfortune (i.e. Golus), and Hashem was a
support for me’ (Tehillim 18:19). Mivtach,
however, describes the future--the days of Moshiach and Olam Haba.
b.
The Eitz
Yosef also suggests that Hashem is a Mishan--protecting
us from the Yetzer Hara when He sees that we are truly sincere, yet He is a Mivtach--He
gives one a full reward for defeating the Yetzer Hara--as if He had no part
in it!
c.
Hashem gives to those who are Boteiach in Him a Mishan,
assistance to further strengthen them in their Bitachon.
This was evidenced, for instance, by the Bnei Yisroel who saw the Eser
Makkos while still in Mitzrayim--before they even left--in order to
bolster the Bitachon they had demonstrated by crying out to Hashem in the
first place. Similarly, with the
Nes of Purim, first Haman led Mordechai around on the royal horse before
the party in which Haman was brought down, in order to bolster the
people’s Bitachon as they prayed for Esther’s success at the party.
So too in the future, teaches Rabbeinu
Avrohom Ben HaGra, Hashem will show Nissim V’Niflaos before the
final Geulah --in order for our Bitachon to be ‘Meleah
V’Shaleim’ in Hashem. Please
daven at this point that this new demonstration of Mishan
should occur speedily and in our days!
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