TEHILIM and the most important Business Partner

  פותח את ידך ומשביע לכל חי רצון
Last week we explained that in order to get the most from reading Tehilim we need to understand what we are saying (see here).  The ideas of Tehilim will increase our awareness of HaShem’s Presence in our lives.
One example:  The rabbis established to recite Psalm 145, Tehila le David (aka ashre yoshebe betekha) three times a day.  Why? Mainly for the idea contained in the verse poteah et yadekha:  145:16 “When You open Your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living creature”.
God is the ultimate provider. His intervention is not limited to the jungle’s food-chain or the marine ecological system. This verse teaches us that HaShem also intervenes in human society. Besides (or despite) our best efforts, our livelihood depends on His will. It is up to Him to grant us health and wisdom. And even business opportunities. He closes doors and opens new doors. He is our Senior Business Partner. Realizing that our Parnasa isultimately in His hands brings us hope and tranquility (bitahon). And helps us to surf peacefully the turbulent waters of our modern economy.
This is why according to the shulhan arukh (OH 51:7) if we just read this verse (“When You open Your hands…”) and we did not have the proper understanding its meaning (kavana), we need to recite it again.
Incorporating the idea that HaShem is our business partner gives a whole new meaning to our business and to our lives. For example: I will surely behave with total honesty, integrity and with an unstoppable optimism with HaShem Present in my business. It will be easier (and absolutely logical!) for me to give Tzedaqa, i.e., to open MY hands as a payback to HaShem’s opening HIS hands to me.
(Once you understand the meaning of this verse, repeat it to yourself every day as many times as needed).

 



The Secret Power of TEHILIM

David haMelekh, the greatest King of Israel was also the greatest poet in the Jewish people. He composed the book of Tehilim (Psalms).  Tehilim is a TOTAL book. A book we can relate to from virtually any emotional condition we are experiencing in our lives.  Any mood or state of mind. 

Why?

In Tehilim David heMelekh writes about happiness (For example Psalm 1, 118);  gratitude to God (18, 100 and many others), and praise to HaShem (about on fifth of the book). But he also writes about fear (23,71), war and escape from his enemies (many!), his sickness and near death experience (30,40). His remorse and sincere repentance (25, 32, 51). His awe for HaShem’s wisdom (8,19,104), his trust in God’s just retribution despite the apparent success of the wicked (37, 73) and many many more subjects.

David haMelekh was granted ruah haqodesh (Prophetic Inspiration, one level below Prophecy) to write his Psalms. And his personal experiences.  David had a truly turbulent life. He personally suffered persecution, war, death of his loved ones, fear of death, remorse, sadness and fear. But he also experienced immense happiness, delight and joy and spiritual ecstasy.

The special thing about King David is that in all these intense, profound and diverse  life situations he always saw the Presence (or sought the intervention) of HaShem. Tehilim teaches us that despite all our efforts HaShem is the ultimate source of our good health and success.  Tehilim also offers comfort and hope in times of despair by making us realize that HaShem is with us at all times. “Even if I would walk under the shadows of death, I will not be afraid, for I know that You are with me.” (23)

The power of Tehilim consists in the power of its ideas.  They feed and strengthen our Emuna, i.e., our ability to see Him always, Present and Caring.

One condition is required for Tehilim to work effectively and impact our Emuna: we must understand what we are reading.

(To be continued….)
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“Awesome Creation” 
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Read the Introduction HERE