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I asked and you delivered. I wrote about Ashrei and asked you to send me your favorite verses. Could more have responded? In short, yes. But the emails received, the verses chosen, and the reasons given are excellent.
Part of being a Rabbi is learning Torah from you. Your Torah makes me a better Rabbi and a better person. But it is more than that. You end up teaching each other. This helps to strengthen the community. Thank you!
I will give your responses in order of receipt. I am not using the names of those who responded because I did not ask permission to use their names.
The first person was impressed with my expert use of Jewish guilt to force you to engage.
Her favorite was:
“Your kingdom shall last for ever and ever, and Your rule shall extend into each and every generation.”
מַלְכוּתְךָ מַלְכוּת כָּל עֹלָמִים, וּמֶמְשַׁלְתְּךָ בְּכָל דּוֹר וָדֹר
Malkhutekha malkhut kol olamim, umemshaltekha b’khol dor vador
She expressed her reasoning as:
I believe these words help to remind me that although we live in tumultuous times, there is hope for the future. Because of the political trials we are going through in (our country) today, I often experience sudden moments of fear about the present, but also about the years ahead for my children and grandchildren. If I could only remember this verse on a daily basis, and thereby visualize that Hashem remains above us all, now and in the future, “…into each and every generation…,” perhaps those anxious moments could periodically be put to rest.
This is a beautiful interpretation which sees Ashrei prayer as hopeful. For some, prayer can help to strengthen their vision of the future.
The second person was very unimpressed with my Ashrei/Osprey wordplay:
Despite your "osprey bird of ‘prey’, not ‘pray’", I will respond to your request.
My favorite (verse) is:
חַנּוּן וָרַחוּם יהוה, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וּגְדָל חָסֶד
Khanun v’rakhum Adonai, erekh apayim u’gdahl khased
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in loving-kindness.
For me, "loving-kindness" is a call to us to (actually) practice (“loving-kindness”) since it serves as a much-needed antidote for a toxic world.
This thoughtful interpretation sees the Ashrei Prayer as providing ways to live a meaningful life. For some, prayer helps to guide us how to live better lives.
The third person picked two verses which, I believe, actually speak to each other.
My favorite two verses in this prayer are The following:
All of your creatures Shall praise you. The faithful shall Continually bless you.
יוֹדוּךָ יהוה כָּל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, וַחֲסִידֶיךָ יְבָרְכוּכָה
Yodukha Adonai kol ma’asekha, v’khasidekha y’varkhukha
And this one:
Adonai supports all who stumble and Uplifts all who are bowed down
סוֹמֵךְ יהוה לְכָל הַנֹּפְלִים, וְזוֹקֵף לְכָל הַכְּפוּפִים
Someikh Adonai l’khol ha-noflim, v’zokeif l’khol ha-kefufim
These two verses are beautifully juxtaposed. Together they show that the Ashrei prayer expresses that God and humanity are in relationship. We praise God, and God supports us. For some, prayer helps us connect to the divine.
The last person is interested in studying the various translations of the prayers. She likes the first verse using this translation:
What happiness to be in Your house, To sing Your praise, to belong to Your people!
What happiness to worship God!
אַשְׁרֵי יוֹשְׁבֵי בֵיתֶךָ, עוֹד יְהַלְלוּךָ סֶּלָה
אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁכָּכָה לּוֹ, אַשְׁרֵי הָעָם שֶׁיהוה אֱלֹהָיו
Ashrei yoshvei veitekha, ode yehalelukha selah
Ashrei ha’am shekakhah lo, ashrei ha’am she’Adonai elohav
This translation expresses that the Ashrei’s overriding theme: To have the freedom to feel close to God and to praise God is a privilege. In this context, worshipping God leads to happiness.
For some, prayer leads to exultation.
What a joy for the teacher to be taught.
Shabbat Shalom – Rabbi Michael S. Jay
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