{"id":48022,"date":"2019-10-07T18:21:57","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T18:21:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/?p=48022"},"modified":"2025-03-12T20:16:33","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T20:16:33","slug":"tehillim-19-and-the-essence-of-simchas-torah","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/tehillim-19-and-the-essence-of-simchas-torah\/","title":{"rendered":"Tehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah"},"content":{"rendered":"

Also:<\/p>\n

Tehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah, Part 2: Defining the Format and Structure of Birchos Krias Shema\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything – and It’s Not 42! here<\/a><\/p>\n

The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, Part 2: Rachamim, Bechirah and Ahavah in Birchos Krias Shema here<\/a><\/p>\n

Written in honor of the 27th<\/sup> yahrtzeit of my father, my teacher, Harvey Myer Yaffe, OB\u201dM,\u00a0\u05d4\u05e2\u05e8\u05e9\u05dc \u05de\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d1\u05df \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05e2”\u05d4\u00a0who taught me by his lifelong commitment to the principles of the Torah. \u05e0\u05e4\u05d8\u05e8 \u05d7’ \u05ea\u05e9\u05e8\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05e0”\u05d2<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n

Simchas Torah!<\/p>\n

Surely near the top of everyone\u2019s<\/em> list for Most Joyous Holiday<\/em>, vying only with Purim as serious competition.<\/p>\n

And that starts when we are very young, too small to understand, but caught up in the excitement of the singing and dancing, each child in turn being given his or her moments in the sun, borne aloft high on Daddy\u2019s shoulders. Each child is master of his own Personal Royal Chariot; all are rulers of all they survey from their perches high above mere lowly mortals, as they effortlessly sail round and round the Bimah<\/em>. Some lucky ones have sole ownership of their Thrones of Glory for an entire Hakafah<\/em>, seven chances to win the Lottery. And all the while, Daddy labors dutifully below, a beast of burden\u2014 performing a labor of love.<\/p>\n

And each one of those seven Hakafos<\/em> is introduced by one of seven consecutive pesukim<\/em>, taken from the last half of Tehillim 19, a chapter very familiar to us from its inclusion in Pesukei<\/em> d\u2019Zimrah<\/em> of Shabbos and Yom Tov.<\/p>\n

Chapter 19 is an initially puzzling and surprisingly complex paragraph; let\u2019s take a closer look at it to try to better understand its structure, its significance to the Avodas haYom<\/em> of Simchas Torah, and indeed, to our Avodas haYom<\/em> of every single day. We will divide it into logical sections to aid our analysis. Translation follows:<\/p>\n

\u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u0597\u05d7\u05b7 \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05de\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05bd\u05d3\u05c3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u0597\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05bd\u05e1\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05be\u05d0\u05b5\u0591-\u05dc \u05d5\u05bc\u05bd\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05b5\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b8\u059d\u05d3\u05b8\u0597\u05d9\u05d5 \u05de\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7\u05c3 \u05d9\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05ad\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7\u05bd \u05d0\u05b9\u0591\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05a5\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u059d\u05dc\u05b7\u0597\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4\u05be\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05bd\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea\u05c3 \u05d0\u05b5\u05bd\u05d9\u05df\u05be\u05d0\u05b9\u05ad\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9\u05df \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u059d\u05dc\u05b4\u0597\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05a5\u05e2 \u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05a8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05c0 \u05d9\u05b8\u0598\u05e6\u05b8\u05a4\u05d0 \u05e7\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b8\u0597\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05a3\u05d4 \u05ea\u05b5\u05ad\u05d1\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u0591\u05dd \u05dc\u05b7\u059d\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b6\u0597\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05bd\u05dd\u05be\u05d0\u05b9\u05a5\u05d4\u05b6\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u0597\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05ad\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05df \u05d9\u05b9\u05e6\u05b5\u05a3\u05d0 \u05de\u05b5\u05d7\u05bb\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05e9\u05c2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u059d\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b9\u05bd\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05c3 \u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05a4\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05a8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05c0 \u05de\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u0597\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05ea\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9\u05df \u05e0\u05b4\u059d\u05e1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u0597\u05e8 \u05de\u05b5\u05bd\u05d7\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3<\/p>\n

\u05ea\u05bc\u0598\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b7\u05a4\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05ad\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05d1\u05b7\u05ea \u05e0\u05b8\u0591\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d3\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a5\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b6\u059d\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05de\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05de\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05bd\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05c3 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u0598\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3\u05b5\u05a4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05ad\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05dc\u05b5\u0591\u05d1 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b7\u05a5\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u059d\u05e8\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b7\u05a5\u05ea \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05bd\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05a4\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a8\u05d4 \u05c0 \u05d8\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05ae \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b6\u05aa\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05ab\u05e2\u05b7\u05a5\u05d3 \u05de\u05b4\u05bd\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d8\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b6\u0591\u05ea \u05e6\u05b8\u05bd\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d5\u05c3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05ad\u05d6\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d6 \u05e8\u05b8\u0591\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u059d\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u0597\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b9\u05a3\u05e4\u05b6\u05ea \u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3<\/p>\n

\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05bd\u05dd\u05be\u05e2\u05b7\u05ad\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05a3\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u0591\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u059d\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u0597\u05dd \u05e2\u05b5\u05a3\u05e7\u05b6\u05d1 \u05e8\u05b8\u05bd\u05d1\u05c3 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05d9\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e0\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b5\u05bd\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05a4\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d3\u05b4\u05a8\u05d9\u05dd \u05c0 \u05d7\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05b9\u05ac\u05da\u05b0 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u0597\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05bd\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05be\u05d1\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05a3\u05d6 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u059d\u05e0\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b5\u0597\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05a5\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05bd\u05e2 \u05e8\u05b8\u05bd\u05d1\u05c3<\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05a8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05e4\u05b4\u05a1\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d9\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u0591\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b0\u059d-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b9\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3<\/p>\n

For the Orchestrator, a psalm of David. The heavens recount the glory of God, the sky proclaims His handiwork. Day to day gives utterance, night to night reveals understanding. There is no speech, there are no words, with no voice being heard. To all the Earth goes out their measuring line, and to the edge of the inhabited world go their [the heavens\u2019 (which also give rise to the days\u2019 and nights\u2019) silent] words, in them [the heavens] He has placed a tent for the Sun. And he [the Sun] is like a groom going forth from his wedding canopy, bringing joy like a champion athlete, to run his [daily] course. His origin at one edge of the heavens, his circuit until their other extent, nothing is hidden from his heat.<\/p>\n

The Torah of HaShem is perfect, returning spirit; the testimonies of HaShem are trustworthy, making the naive wise. The ordinances of HaShem are just, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of HaShem is lucid illuminating the eyes. The fear of HaShem is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of HaShem are true, righteous altogether. More desirable than gold, than much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of combs.<\/p>\n

Also Your servant is careful regarding them [the various categories of commandments above]; in guarding them there is great reward. Who can be cognizant of accidental sins? Cleanse me of hidden trespasses. Also from willful sins withhold Your servant; let them not rule in me; then shall I be at the peak of my strength and clean of grave transgression.<\/p>\n

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be desirable before You, HaShem, my Rock and my Redeemer.<\/p>\n

As we start the kapitil<\/em>, it seems pretty simple\u2014it\u2019s about the greatness of HaShem manifest through the magnificence of His Ma\u2019aseh B\u2019reishis<\/em>, especially the life-giving Sun, who \u2018praises\u2019 God by virtue of flawlessly and joyfully\u00a0 \u2018doing his job\u2019 of course; one of HaShem\u2019s faithful Malachim<\/em>, depicted by the Psalmist as animate, even though it is inanimate.<\/p>\n

That works for the first 7 pesukim<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Then we hit the 8th<\/sup>.\u00a0 Hmmm, all of a sudden we\u2019re talking about learning Torah and doing mitzvos<\/em>. Well at least that jibes with Pesukim<\/em> 12-14, the heartfelt desire of the Psalmist to be free of sin, of transgressing those mitzvos<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But then we hit the last posuk<\/em>, also a bit of a shocker. For Chazal abstract that<\/em> posuk<\/em> as the \u2018sign-off\u2019 for Shemonah Esrei<\/em>, before which we cannot break our strict Stance of Attention<\/em>, or even answer to Kedushah [Shulchan Orech, O\u201dCh, 122]<\/em>.<\/p>\n

But that\u2019s Tefilah<\/em>, an entirely different service than either Avodah<\/em> or Talmud<\/em> Torah<\/em>!! ?<\/p>\n

OK, so now I\u2019m really confused. Are we talking about the Sun, Avodah, Talmud Torah, Tefilah<\/em>\u2014 or all of the above??<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s formalize our confusion into some discrete questions, and then attack them utilizing a textual analysis of a few choice words within the kapitil<\/em>.<\/p>\n

1) All of the classical meforshim<\/em> understand that some sort of comparison is being made between the Sun and the Torah:<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rashi [19:8] understands either that the Torah is enlightening , (\u05db\u05d9 \u05e0\u05e8 \u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d5\u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8<\/u> [\u05de\u05e9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d5’]) just as is the Sun, or that the Torah\u2019s heat exceeds that of the Sun, L\u2019asid Lavo<\/em> punishing evil-doers with Gehenom<\/em> but protecting those that learn it;<\/p>\n

\u2014 Both Ibn Ezra and Radak [19:8] learn that just as the powerful and life-sustaining Sun gives testimony to the Glory of its Creator, the life-sustaining<\/em> Torah gives even more eloquent<\/em> testimony to the Glory of its Author\u2014 although the commentators differ in the specifics of that testimony;<\/p>\n

\u2014 Metzudas Dovid avers that the Torah is more \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b8\u05d4<\/em>, perfect, whole, complete in all of its construction, details, and particulars than is the mighty Sun;<\/p>\n

\u2014 Malbim states that just as the Glory and greatness of God is manifest in the physical world by the Sun, the Torah proclaims HaShem\u2019s Glory through 6 different kinds of precepts (the same as those presented throughout Tehillim 119) in the spiritual universe, and develops that specific theme.<\/p>\n

Given that background, is there any other specific comparison<\/em><\/strong> which we can make which augments all the above commentaries, especially in regard to how the chapter relates to Simchas Torah?<\/p>\n

2) Does the essential theme of the chapter revolve around Torah<\/em>, Avodah<\/em> or Tefilah?<\/em><\/p>\n

3) Shemini Atzeres\/SimchasTorah is one of two regalim<\/em> for which the Torah specifies NO particular mitzvah for the individual (for more depth on this observation, see Pesach\/Shavuos and Sukkos\/Shemini Atzeres sections of Where does Hallel come from?<\/em><\/a> by Barry Yaffe). Therefore, the Avodas<\/em> haYom<\/em> is set by Chazal, not the Torah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

What is that avodah<\/em>? how does our contemporary practice reflect that avodah<\/em>, and how is that highlighted in Tehillim 19?<\/p>\n

LAST BUT NOT LEAST\u2014 AN IMMEDIATE CONNECTION!<\/p>\n

In any speech or literary work, the beginning and the ending are usually what are best remembered, and are where the most emphasis should be placed. Let\u2019s cut to the last posuk<\/em>, and focus on the most distinctive<\/em> word of that posuk<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05a8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05e4\u05b4\u05a1\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d9\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u0591\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b0\u059d-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b9\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3<\/p>\n

From the standpoint of frequency within Tanach, the word \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d9\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05df (shoresh<\/em>: \u05d4\u05d2\u05d4\u00a0 ) wins the uniqueness<\/em> contest. The shoresh<\/em> \u05d4\u05d2\u05d4\u2014to recite<\/em> or to meditate<\/em>\u2014 is not found in Chumash at all, and its first appearance is in Chapter 1 of Sefer<\/em> Yehoshua\u2014which just happens to be the Haftorah<\/em> for v\u2019Zos haB\u2019rachah\u2014and hence is read on Simchas Torah itself! A promising lead for connectiveness!<\/p>\n

In that first chapter, Yehoshua seems understandably nervous at stepping into Moshe Rabeinu<\/em>\u2019s shoes, and God delivers these words of reassurance [1:3-9]:<\/p>\n

\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b8\u05e7\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a8\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05a7\u05da\u05b0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05bd\u05e3\u05be\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05b0\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u059b\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u0596\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05a3\u05dd \u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05d5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u0596\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3 \u05de\u05b5\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05a9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05a8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u059c\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05bd\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05a7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05e0\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05be\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u0597\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u059a\u05dc \u05d0\u05b6\u05a3\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d4\u05b7\u05bd\u05d7\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05a5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u0596\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05de\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1<\/u><\/strong> \u05d9\u05b4\u05bd\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u0596\u05d4 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 \u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05be\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05a5\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u0599 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u0594\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u0596\u05dc \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b6\u0591\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05bd\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05a3\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u0594\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b9\u05a5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0596 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e2\u05b6\u05d6\u05b0\u05d1\u05b6\u05bd\u05da\u05bc\u05b8\u05c3 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b7\u0596\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u0591\u05e5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05a3\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u0594\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0595\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8\u05be\u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05a5\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u0596\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05ea\u05b5\u05a5\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 \u05e8\u05b7\u05e7\u05a9 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b7\u05a8\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b6\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u059c\u05e5 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u0597\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05a4\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u0599 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u0597\u05d4<\/u><\/strong> \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a4\u05e8 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d5\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0599 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a3\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u0594\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u0596\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u0591\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05a3\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u0596\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05bd\u05da\u05b0\u05c3 \u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05be\u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05a1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e1\u05b5\u05e4\u05b6\u05e8\u05a9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u059c\u05d4<\/u><\/strong> \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05da\u05b8<\/u><\/strong> \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8<\/u><\/em><\/strong> \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u0599 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05a3\u05dd \u05d5\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/u><\/strong> \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u0599\u05e2\u05b7\u05df\u0599 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05a3\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea<\/u><\/strong> \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u0596\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u059b\u05d6 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u0596\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05a5\u05d6 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dc\u05c3<\/strong> \u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05a4\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d5\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u0599\u05d9\u05da\u05b8\u0599 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b7\u05a3\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u0594\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b7\u05bd\u05dc\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u0596\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b8\u0591\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0599 \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05a3\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u0594\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u0596\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05bd\u05da\u05b0\u05c3<\/p>\n

God essentially reassures Yehoshua that successful leadership does not depend on the individual leader at all, rather it depends on DAY-AND-NIGHT, constant review of HaShem\u2019s TORAH, and GUARDING its MITZVOS assiduously:<\/p>\n

But you must be very strong and resolute to GUARD, to DO, as in all the TORAH that My servant Moshe commanded you, do not deviate from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Let not this ACCOUNT of the TORAH cease from your MOUTH, but MEDITATE [\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8<\/em><\/strong> ] in it DAY AND NIGHT, so that you may GUARD to DO like all that is written in it; only then will you prosper in your path and only then will you be successful.\u00a0 [1:7-8]<\/p>\n

The central phrase \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8<\/em><\/strong> \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u0599 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05a3\u05dd \u05d5\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/strong> not only encompasses the first use in Tanach of \u05d4\u05d2\u05d4, found in the second<\/em> half of Tehillim 19, but also references the repetitive passage of day and night, the focus of the first<\/em> half of 19. Thus this one short phrase unifies both<\/em> halves of the kapitil<\/em>! In Yehoshua, it is the Torah<\/em> which must be studied \u201cday and night\u201d, whereas in the kapitil<\/em> that interval is served by the heavens and the heavenly bodies<\/em>\u2026 a neat transposition by the Psalmist! Note also the presence of the ancillary highlighted<\/u><\/strong> sherashim<\/em> within Tehillim 19, further suggesting the strong relationship between the two chapters.\u00a0 Even the \u201cShemesh<\/em>\u201d puts in a \u2018cameo appearance\u2019 within 1:4 of Yehoshua, further cementing the textual\u2014 and thematic\u2014 relationship!<\/p>\n

Thus by linking it with the first chapter of Yehoshua, we\u2019ve now postulated that the focus of this last posuk of the kapitil is indeed talmud Torah and the performance of its mitzvos, NOT tefilah.<\/em> (We will deal with this posuk<\/em>\u2019s appearance at the end of Shemonah<\/em> Esrei<\/em> at the end of the article.)<\/p>\n

In the process, we\u2019ve highlighted that an important feature in this relationship is the continuous, repetitive, day-and-night<\/em> aspect of our relationship to Torah.<\/p>\n

HELP FROM AN UNLIKELY\u2014 AND SINISTER\u2014 SOURCE<\/p>\n

Another significant phrase within the kapitil<\/em> finds its source in a much lesser known, and rather chilling reference, buried deep within Sefer<\/em> Iyov. For those who may be unfamiliar with Iyov, it is one of the most perplexing and linguistically difficult works of the entire Tanach, yet it is obviously of central importance for the Jew, written by none other than Moshe Rabeinu<\/em> himself [Bava Basra 14b].<\/p>\n

Briefly, HaShem challenges the Sotan <\/em>to test His faithful servant Iyov, a perfect and righteous man whom HaShem has blessed with great riches, and a large, pious, and happy family. The Sotan <\/em>goes about his duties assiduously, first destroying Iyov\u2019s wealth and murdering all his children one by one, and finally afflicting Iyov\u2019s very body, torturing him up to the very point <\/em>of death (and possibly beyond<\/em> that point, miraculously), says the Gemorah<\/em> [ Bava Basra 16a, Chullin 43a].\u00a0 The bulk of the sefer<\/em> consists of dialogues between three of Iyov\u2019s so-called \u2018friends\u2019 (who seem more intent on casting blame on the unfortunate victim as an explanation for his misfortunes rather than consoling him) and Iyov himself who protests his innocence over and over again. The profound thematic message of Moshe\u2019s cryptic work is far beyond the scope of this article.<\/p>\n

[Please understand that in Jewish ideology, the Sotan <\/em>is a malach<\/em>, like any other, charged with a particular task. The verb \u05dc\u05e9\u05d8\u05df means to oppose<\/em>, and the Sotan<\/em>\u2019s task is that of a Quality Control Manager of sorts, or perhaps a good Cardiologist. His job is to administer \u2018Stress Tests\u2019 to test the integrity of the hearts of his \u201cpatients\u201d. But unlike our clinical colleagues who essay to check hearts noninvasively, the Sotan<\/em>\u2019s stress tests can present very real adversity and pain for their unfortunate subjects! Such can be the effects of personal\u2014 and national\u2014 nisyonos<\/em>\u2026]<\/p>\n

In Iyov\u2019s reply in Chapter 16 to Eliphaz\u2019s second speech, he muses, stunned, in shock, at the viciousness and most especially at the persistence<\/em> and repetitiveness<\/em> of the Sotan<\/em>\u2019s attacks upon him.<\/p>\n

Come, hear Iyov\u2019s pain. Hear his pain not only in his words, but even in his very dikduk<\/em>! (Highlighted words share sherashim<\/em> with words in the kapitil<\/em>, and even though many [ but not all!] are nondescript, they further suggest connection between the two paragraphs). We\u2019ll focus on the central part of the chapter with a translation and italicized<\/em> commentary<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05a5\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b7\u05bd\u05e8\u05c3 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05a3\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9<\/u><\/strong> \u05db\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05a3\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea<\/u><\/strong> \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05b5\u0596\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05a3\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d4\u05b2\u05e7\u05b5\u05a5\u05e5 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9<\/u><\/strong>\u05be\u05e8\u0591\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4\u05be\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u059d\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05e6\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0597 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05a4\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u05ae \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05aa\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05ab\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05a5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4<\/u><\/strong> \u05dc\u05a4\u05d5\u05bc\u05be\u05d9\u05b5\u05aa\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05a1\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05a4\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u0597\u05d9<\/u><\/strong> \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05a3\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b2\u059d\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u0597\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d0\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05a5\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05be\u05e4\u05b4\u0591\u05d9<\/u><\/strong> \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05d3 \u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05e9\u05c2\u05b9\u05bd\u05da\u05b0<\/u><\/strong>\u05c3 \u05d0\u05b4\u05bd\u05dd\u05be\u05d0\u05b2\u05ad\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 <\/u><\/strong>\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05d9\u05b5\u05d7\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b5\u05a3\u05da\u05b0<\/u><\/strong> \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d1\u05b4\u0591\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u059d\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4\u05be\u05de\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05da\u05b0\u05c3 \u05d0\u05b7\u05da\u05b0\u05be\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05a5\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u0591\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b2\u059d\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05ad\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05d8\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05a3\u05d3<\/u><\/strong> \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u0591\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05a5\u05e7\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05db\u05b7\u059d\u05d7\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u0597\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b7\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b6\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3<\/p>\n

\u05d0\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05a4\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d8\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05a8\u05e3 \u05c0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u0597\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05a3\u05e7 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u0593\u05d9 \u05c0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d8\u0596\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05a3\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05b2\u05e8\u05ac\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05a8\u05d9 \u05c0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u0597\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ad\u05d7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u0591\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b7\u059d\u0597\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3<\/u><\/strong> \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05bd\u05d5\u05bc\u05df\u05c3<\/p>\n

His [?either HaShem\u2019s or His agent, the Sotan<\/em>\u2019s] anger rips at, and shows hatred of me, he has gnashed his teeth at me; My distressor sharpens his gaze against me. They [Iyov\u2019s \u201cfriends\u201d] have opened wide their mouths at me, with contempt they struck my cheeks, unified, they satisfy themselves [with vilification] against me.<\/p>\n

The next posuk validates that Iyov well knows that the Sotan is his relentless tormentor, HaShem\u2019s \u2018hatchet man\u2019\u2014 but also shows he is aware Who\u2019s giving the Orders (see endnote 1)!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d2\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b5\u05a3\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ad-\u05dc \u05d0\u05b6\u05a3\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d5\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b5\u0596\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d8\u05b5\u05bd\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05c3[1]<\/a><\/p>\n

The Powerful One has confined me into the custody of an evildoer [the Sotan<\/em>], and has caused me to hurriedly fall into the clutches of the wicked.<\/p>\n

\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u0598\u05dc\u05b5\u05a4\u05d5 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05a8\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05c0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u0597\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b7\u05a3\u05d6 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ad\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05bd\u05d9\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u0591\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05de\u05b5\u05a5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u059d\u0597\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3<\/p>\n

I had been at peace, and he crumbled me to bits; and he grabbed me by the scruff of the neck, and he shattered me to smithereens; and he set me up as his bull\u2019s eye target.<\/p>\n

Hear Iyov\u2019s pain, even in the dikduk. Even if you don\u2019t know that \u05e4\u05e8\u05e8\u00a0 means \u2018to separate into small pieces\u2019, the Sotan doesn\u2019t just \u2018par\u2019, Iyov, he \u2018par-par\u2019s\u2019 him, over and over again. Even if you don\u2019t know that \u05e4\u05e6\u05e6 means \u2018to explode\u2019, the Sotan doesn\u2019t just \u2018patz\u2019 him, he \u2018patz-patz\u2019s\u2019 him, over and over again.<\/em><\/p>\n

One doesn\u2019t shoot just one arrow at a target for practice. He shoots over and over\u2014 and over again\u2014until he finally hits his mark, the bull\u2019s eye! The Sotan\u2019s onslaught is repetitive\u2014and merciless! Iyov continues the description of the relentlessness of the attack upon him:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b8\u0598\u05e1\u05b9\u05a4\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05a8\u05d9 \u05c0 \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u0597\u05d9\u05d5<\/u><\/strong> \u05d9\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d7 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05ad\u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a3\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05de\u0591\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05a5\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b8\u059d\u05d0\u05b8\u0597\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 <\/u><\/strong>\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05bd\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05c3<\/p>\n

His archers surrounded me, he eviscerated my kidneys and showed no mercy, he spilled my bitter bile to the earth.<\/p>\n

And just in case you missed the dikduk, the relentless repetitiveness of the next posuk is unmistakable. <\/em><\/p>\n

Hear Iyov\u2019s shock and pain\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05a3\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b6\u05ad\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05be\u05e4\u05b8\u0591\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05bb\u0596\u05e5 <\/u><\/strong>\u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8<\/u><\/strong>\u05c3<\/p>\n

He breached me, breach after breach; He rushed at me like a strongman-warrior.<\/p>\n

\u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05a3\u05e7 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05ad\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u00a0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u0591\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u0596\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b6\u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05b8\u05a3\u05e8 \u05e7\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d7\u05de\u05e8\u05de\u05e8\u05d4 [\u05d7\u05b3\u05ad\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc] \u05de\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d1\u05b6\u0591\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u0596\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9 \u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05bd\u05d5\u05b6\u05ea\u05c3<\/p>\n

I sewed sackcloth over my skin; I sullied my essence in the dirt. My face has become deep crimson [redder than red!<\/em>] with my weeping, and upon my fluttering double<\/em> eyelids is the shadow of death. (Iyov 16: 9-16)<\/p>\n

Again, notice the duplicative forms of the words, both verb <\/em>[\u05d7\u05b3\u05ad\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc] \u00a0and noun <\/em>[\u05e2\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9], in the previous posuk. There can be no question of the repetitiveness of the Sotan\u2019s attacks!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u05e2\u05b7\u05ad\u05dc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05d7\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05a3\u05e1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05bd\u05ea\u05b0\u05e4\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d6\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d4\u05c3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ad\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc<\/u><\/strong>\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9 \u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u0591\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05bd\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc<\/u><\/strong>\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b8\u059d\u05e7\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd<\/u><\/strong>\u05be\u05e2\u05b7\u05ad\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4\u05be\u05d1\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05a3\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05e2\u05b5\u05d3\u05b4\u0591\u05d9<\/u><\/strong> \u05d5\u05b0\u059d\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05d4\u05b2\u05d3\u05b4\u0597\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3 \u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e6\u05b7\u05a5\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b8\u0591\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05d0\u05b1\u059d-\u05dc\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05d4\u05b7 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05a5\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b7\u05a3\u05d7 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b6\u05a3\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8<\/u><\/strong> \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9\u05d4\u05bc\u05b7 \u05d5\u05bc\u05bd\u05d1\u05b6\u05df\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05a5\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b5\u05bd\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05a3\u05e8<\/u><\/strong> \u05d9\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u0596\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7<\/u><\/strong> \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d4\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05da\u05b0\u05c3<\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05bb\u05e5 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2013 <\/strong>\u201che ran against me like a strongman\u201d.<\/strong>\u00a0 An electrifying and chilling statement.<\/em><\/p>\n

A \u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8<\/strong>\u2014 a warrior, a gladiator. A sadistic brute of an animal who smashes my face over and over again, even though he\u2019s already felled me. I\u2019m already a broken and beaten man, but he doesn\u2019t stop. And then when I try to get up, he laughs, and smashes me yet again.<\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05bb\u05e5 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8. <\/strong>Hear Iyov\u2019s pain\u2026<\/p>\n

BRIGHT AND SUNNY– A VERY UN<\/u>–<\/em><\/strong>SINISTER PARALLEL!<\/p>\n

And yet, an unmistakable echo within our kapitil<\/em>\u2014\u05c3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u0597\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05ad\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05df \u05d9\u05b9\u05e6\u05b5\u05a3\u05d0 \u05de\u05b5\u05d7\u05bb\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05e9\u05c2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u059d\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u0597\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc\u05e5<\/strong> \u05d0\u05b9\u05bd\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7. Note the nearly consecutively treatment of \u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05bb\u05e5\u00a0 (mentally \u2018heard\u2019 very similarly to \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e5<\/strong>) and\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 in Iyov, and furthermore the presence of\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b9\u05bd\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7 within the final posuk quoted from Iyov 16 above. Also note the underlined, bolded words, whose sherashim are shared in common with Tehillim 19, further suggesting relationship, including some relatively uncommon ones as , \u05de\u05dc\u05d4, \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8, \u05d0\u05e8\u05d7, \u05d7\u05e9\u05db, \u05e2\u05d3\u05d4 \u05e7\u05e6\u05e6.<\/p>\n

Hear Dovid haMelech\u2019s optimism and positivity. He takes that sadistic brute, the \u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 who punishes his victim over and over again, and magically transforms him into the benevolent and life-giving Sun, a \u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8, a champion athlete who can\u2019t wait<\/em> to run the track to bring joy to the cheering crowd, yet one more time!<\/p>\n

But why? You just set a World\u2019s Record yesterday?!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThat was yesterday,\u201d says the Sun, bubbling with passion. \u201cToday\u2019s a brand new day! I have to do it again<\/em>!! And tomorrow? My adoring crowd awaits, another record-shattering performance, over and over again! It\u2019s who I am, what I was created to do!!!\u00a0 I am HaShem\u2019s faithful Malach<\/em>, the Shemesh<\/em>, literally, \u2018One who Serves\u2019! It\u2019s my mahuss<\/em>, my very essence! I can\u2019t wait<\/em>\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05a3\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea\u0599 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u0595\u05d9\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u0596\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05a4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b9\u05ea\u0599 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b4\u0594\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3<\/p>\n

And the Lord said, \u201cLet there be light-givers in the division of the heavens to separate the day from the night; they shall serve as signs and for set times and for days and years.<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05a4\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea\u0599 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0591\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bd\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05db\u05b5\u05bd\u05df\u05c3 \u00a0[\u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0: \u05d9”\u05d3-\u05d8”\u05d5]<\/p>\n

Timekeepers they are, as well as light-givers. Over and over again, repetitively.<\/p>\n

CLOSING THE CIRCLE<\/p>\n

It seems to me that that<\/u><\/em> is the specific focus of the comparison within the kapitil<\/em>. The Sun\u2019s task is to serve God, by serving Man, over and over again. Repetitively<\/em>.<\/p>\n

And OUR task is to do that which HaShem charged Yehoshua: to serve God by learning Torah constantly to do the mitzvos<\/em>, day and night, over and over again. Repetitively<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The Sun has its \u2018Torah\u2019. And we have ours.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The mashal<\/em> in the kapitil<\/em> is not strictly between the Sun and the Torah. It is also between how the Sun approaches his task<\/em>, and how we approach our task<\/em>.<\/p>\n

So here we are on Simchas Torah\u2014rejoicing that we have achieved a significant milestone. Over the past year we have completed the entire Chamishei Chumshei Torah<\/em>, all 80,000 words!<\/p>\n

We could<\/em> just give each other a high-five, a big \u201c \u2018Skoi\u2019ach<\/em>\u201d, then all go home to eat, to celebrate a job well-done.<\/p>\n

But we don\u2019t do that. We finish\u2014 and then we immediately start over<\/em>\u2014 to do the whole thing yet again<\/em>, from The Beginning. Repetitively. Like the Sun, we can\u2019t wait<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n

And not only do we start over\u2014 we also progress onward<\/em>, beyond the Chumash, to the very beginning of Nach<\/em>, as we read from the beginning of Sefer Yehoshua!<\/p>\n

Like the Sun. It is who we are. It is what we were created to do.<\/p>\n

And the Avodas<\/em> Hayom<\/em>?<\/p>\n

Very simple. We dance Hakafos<\/u><\/em>\u2014 Circuits. Round and round, over and over again. Just like the faithful Sun. It\u2019s right there in the kapitil<\/em>: \u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05a4\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05a8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05c0 \u05de\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0\u0597\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05ea\u05a5\u05d5\u05b9<\/strong> \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05e7\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u0591\u05dd.<\/p>\n

The shoresh<\/em> for \u2018Tekufah\u2019<\/em> is \u05e7\u05e4\u05e4<\/strong>. The exact same shoresh<\/em> as for \u2018Hakafah\u2019 [2]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>. The Sun dances hakafos<\/em>\u2014and so do we.<\/p>\n

TORAH<\/em>, AVODAH<\/em>, OR TEFILAH<\/em>?<\/p>\n

SO now, if you\u2019ll pardon the pun, we have come full circle. The kapitil<\/em> is all about studying Torah to do the mitzvos<\/em>, and not so much about tefilah<\/em>, although there is<\/em> a prayer of sorts within the last three pesukim<\/em>. So why is the last posuk<\/em> chosen to seal the tefilah<\/em> of Shemonah<\/em> Esrei<\/em>?<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to suggest that all it takes is an examination of how Shemonah Esrei<\/em> ends. Look at the last brachah, the one for Shalom, shleimus\u2014 <\/em>completion. <\/em>\u00a0And the additional request at the end, \u2018\u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9. \u05e0\u05b0\u05e6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u2019, paying attention to the underlined phrases:<\/p>\n

\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4. \u05d7\u05b5\u05df \u05d5\u05b8\u05d7\u05b6\u05e1\u05b6\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8. \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4’ \u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05d1\u05b7\u05ea \u05d7\u05b6\u05e1\u05b6\u05d3. \u05d5\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd. \u05d5\u05b0\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05e2\u05b5\u05ea \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05de\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4’, \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd:<\/p>\n

\u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05df \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8<\/em><\/strong> \u05d4’ \u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9<\/strong><\/em>: \u05d0\u05b1-\u05dc\u05d4\u05b7\u05d9. \u05e0\u05b0\u05e6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05e4\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4. \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05dd. \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b6\u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4. \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05ea\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05e3 \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9<\/u><\/strong>. \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05d5\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4. \u05de\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e4\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e6\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd: \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05bb\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8. \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b5\u05d7\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4\u05d5\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e0\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05df \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4’ \u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9:<\/em><\/strong> \u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5. \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc. \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b5\u05df:<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not about prayer. It\u2019s about talmud<\/em> Torah<\/em> and the performance of mitzvos<\/em> (the \u2018Torah of Life\u2019 embodies brachah<\/em> and chein<\/em> given to us by \u2018the LIGHT of HaShem\u2019s Face\u2019, a referent to the Birchas Kohanim<\/em> which was just said, [\u05d9\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d4<\/u><\/strong>‘ <\/u><\/strong>\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5<\/u><\/strong> \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05d7\u05bb\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6<\/u><\/strong>\u05da\u05bc\u05b8:\u00a0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d4’ \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5<\/u><\/strong> \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05b5\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd<\/u><\/strong> \u00a0: \u05d9\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05db\u05b0<\/u><\/strong>\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4’ \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8], and ALSO is a parallel to the shining<\/u> \u2018face\u2019 of the Sun of Kapitil 19<\/em>).<\/p>\n

STAY TUNED!<\/p>\n

In a sequel to this article to be posted later b\u2019li neder, we will uncover fascinating parallels between the nussach<\/em> of the tefilos<\/em> and Tehillim 19, emplaced by Chazal within the daily davening<\/em>, not surprisingly morning and night<\/em>. In the process we will offer a novel understanding of the flow of the Birchos Kri\u2019as Shema.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Til then, Good morning, and good night\u2026<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> How does this statement implicate the Sotan<\/em>?<\/p>\n

The verb Iyov uses in this posuk is \u05d9\u05e8\u05d8\u2014to hurry [esp into the depths]<\/em>. That shoresh is found in only one other posuk in all of Tanach, in the revelation to Bilaam at the beginning of Parshas<\/em> Balak,\u00a0 of the sword-wielding malach<\/em>, previously visible to his donkey, but not to him, obstructing his path, multiple times<\/em>:<\/p>\n

\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05a4\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u0599 \u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05a3\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05b0-\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u0594\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b8\u0597\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u0599\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8\u0599 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d0\u05b2\u05ea\u05b9\u05a3\u05e0\u05b0\u05da\u05b8\u0594 \u05d6\u05b6\u0596\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05a3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b4\u0591\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05a4\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9\u0599 \u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05a3\u05d0\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05d8\u05b8\u0594\u05df \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05d9\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05a5\u05d8<\/strong> \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u0596\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05c3<\/p>\n

The angel of HaShem said to him, \u201cWhy have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, it is I who went out as an Adversary, for He hurried the way for me to oppose [you]. (Bamidbar 22:32)<\/p>\n

Note that the shoresh \u05e9\u05d8\u05df appears in only one other parshia<\/em> in all of Chumash. The close juxtaposition of 2 such unusual words is surely no accident! And note the repetitive nature<\/em> of the \u2018attack\u2019 on Bilaam here as well, characteristic of the Sotan<\/em>\u2019s tender blandishments! One thing you can count on\u2014just when you think you\u2019ve got the Sotan<\/em> beat, he comes at you again and again, often from unanticipated directions!!<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a>\u00a0 See Rashi and Metzudas Tzion on Tehillim 19:7.<\/p>\n

Rashi:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05ea\u05e7\u05d5\u05e4\u05ea\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e7\u05e6\u05d5\u05ea\u05dd<\/strong>.<\/strong> \u05d4\u05e7\u05e4\u05ea<\/u> \u05e1\u05d1\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5 \u05de\u05e7\u05e6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05dc \u05e7\u05e6\u05d4:<\/p>\n

Metzudas Tzion: \u05d5\u05ea\u05e7\u05d5\u05e4\u05ea\u05d5<\/strong>.<\/strong> \u05de\u05dc\u05e9\u05d5\u05df \u05d4\u05e7\u05e4\u05d4<\/u> \u05d5\u05e1\u05d1\u05d5\u05d1:<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Also: Tehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah, Part 2: Defining the Format and Structure of Birchos Krias Shema\u00a0here The Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything – and It’s Not 42! here The Answer to Life, the Universe, and Everything, Part 2: Rachamim, Bechirah and Ahavah in Birchos Krias Shema here Written in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27421,"featured_media":48024,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[343],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-48022","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-simchat-torah"],"yoast_head":"\nTehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah - Jewish Holidays<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ou.org\/holidays\/tehillim-19-and-the-essence-of-simchas-torah\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Tehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah - Jewish Holidays\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Also: Tehillim 19 and the Essence of Simchas Torah, Part 2: Defining the Format and Structure of Birchos Krias Shema\u00a0here The Answer to Life, The Universe, and Everything – and It’s Not 42! 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