Parshat Ki Tavo 5764
September 3, 2004

Ashrei XVIII

Potaiach et Yadecha Umasbiah Lechol Chay Ratzon – Open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

This verse is the highlight of the prayer Ashrei. The Jewish Code of Law – The Shulchan Aruch states clearly that if one does not say this verse with proper intent, he must say the verse again correctly. It is also interesting to note that in the Sefardic version of Birkat Hamazon this verse is stated in the first and primary paragraph before the concluding Baruch..Hazan Et Hakol. So what is it about this Pasuk that is so compelling and powerful? If you will, Mah Nishtana Hapasuk Hazeh Mikol Hapsukim?

One answer is that it deals with Parnassa / mans sustenance. Our sages tell us that Parnassa comes straight from the hands of Hashem. And without Parnassa we cannot survive on this earth at all. Our sages compare the complexity and importance of the divine provision of mans sustenance with the miraculous Splitting of the Red Sea. We therefore pray this verse with a full intent to declare and affirm that it is G-d and G-d himself that is behind the sustenance of every living thing.

The Zohar /Kabbalah explains that the final word of the verse Ratzon implies satiation. The verse therefore is referring not only to the blessings of Parnassa, but in addition to feeling sated with the sustenance awarded. The nature of man is to want more, and more, and more - as the Midrash states , “If he has one hundred, he wants two. If he has two hundred, he wants three…” It is truly a divine blessing to behold when one achieves true Ratzon/ satisfaction with his lot.

Indeed the Siddur HaGra states specifically that “Potaiach et …..Ratzon.” declares the double blessing of sustenance and the gift of feeling sated from it.

May each of us merit both blessings in the year to come.

Shabbat Shalom.

Rabbi Ephraim Epstein
rabbiepstein@sonsisrael.com

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