Hallelukah 4-1

Hallelukah 4 – 1

This mizmor speaks about praise of Hashem at the time of the ultimate redemption.

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הַלְלוּ-יָ-הּ. שִׁירוּ לַה' שִׁיר חָדָשׁ, תְּהִלָּתוֹ בִּקְהַל חֲסִידִים.

Praise to Hashem (in the days of the Mashiach). Sing to Hashem a new song (about the unique wonders of the Redemption), (and) let His praise be said in the congregation of the pious (klal Yisrael).

The praises of the past will not suffice for the unique wonders and miracles that Hashem will perform at that time. The Gemara (B’rachos 13a) relates that the miracles and wonders at the time of the ultimate redemption will be so spectacular that the miracles of Y’tzias Mitzrayim (the Exodus from Egypt) will pale in comparison. These new miracles and wonders will take center stage, relegating Y’tzias Mitzrayim to a distant memory. Due to the magnitude of the new miracles and wonders, we will sing all new praises (שִׁיר חָדָשׁ–shir chadash) to Hashem.

These praises will be sung by the congregation of the “חֲסִידִים–chasidim.” The original term of “chasidim” refers to a very high level of piety. At the time of redemption, all the Jewish people will be at that high level of emotional recognition of Hashem (“daas Hashem”) and will be referred to as “chasidim.” [based on the Meiri, the Radak, and the Malbim]  

יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֹשָׂיו, בְּנֵי צִיּוֹן יָגִילוּ בְמַלְכָּם.

Klal Yisrael will rejoice in the One Who made it (His chosen nation), the children of Tziyon (who are spiritually elevated) will exult in their King.

This is a continuation of what we wrote about in the last segment.  Klal Yisrael will rejoice in Hashem for having chosen us as His chosen nation.  “B’nei Tziyon” is another reference to klal Yisrael, expressing the same idea in different words. [based on the Meiri]

יְהַלְלוּ שְׁמוֹ בְמָחוֹל, בְּתֹף וְכִנּוֹר יְזַמְּרוּ-לוֹ.

They will praise Hashem verbally (with a group of people) in a dance circle, (and) with a tambourine and harp they will make music to Him.

The word “מָחוֹל–machol” also means circle. While we must all learn and keep the Torah, we all serve Hashem from different perspectives, focusing and emphasizing various diverse aspects of avodas Hashem (service of Hashem). At times, one’s path may seem diametrically opposed to another’s, with a completely opposing focus. What is special about a circle is that all participants in a circle are focused on the center of the circle. In the future, each righteous person, having served Hashem in his unique way, will stand united in a circle, all focused on Hashem at the center. It will be a joyous dance (“machol” also means joyous dance and musical instrument). [based on Rabbi Akiva Eiger, Maseches Taanis 31a, as explained in the ArtScroll two-volume T’hillim, commentary by HaRav Avraham Chaim Feuer]

כִּי רוֹצֶה יְהוָה בְּעַמּוֹ, יְפָאֵר עֲנָוִים בִּישׁוּעָה.

For (all will see that) Hashem desires His nation Yisrael (more than any other nation), (and) He will glorify the humble (that is, klal Yisrael) with salvation. 

At that time, all will see that Hashem desires His nation more than any other. As we mentioned in the last segment, it is important for us to begin increasing our recognition of Hashem’s great love for us in choosing us, and especially for giving us His greatest gift, the Torah. We should take advantage of the daily opportunity we have when reciting the birkas haTorah to deepen these feelings of gratitude and love. The birkas haTorah should be recited each morning with freshness and passion, and with great enthusiasm and joy. One who does this is tapping into the original giving of the Torah at Har Sinai and will receive great Heavenly assistance in his learning, as well as in other areas.

The great former Rosh HaYeshivah of the Mir, HaRav Nosson Tzvi Finkel zt”l, under whose leadership the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim grew to many thousands of talmidim, related that his inspiration came when he was only 16. At that time, his uncle, HaRav Eliezer Yehuda Finkel zt”l, the acting Rosh HaYeshivah at that time, convinced him to come from his home in Chicago to learn at the Mir in Yerushalayim. Rav Nosson Tzvi’s bed was placed in the living room of his uncle’s apartment. The first morning, at about four a.m., the young Nosson Tzvi heard his uncle come in. Thinking his nephew was asleep, the uncle walked over to the bookcase where the Gemara was housed, and he spread his arms across as many of the volumes as he could, hugging them passionately and with a great display of love. After witnessing this, the young Nosson Tzvi then saw his uncle recite the birkas haTorah with great joy and excitement! That was the inspiration that HaRav Nosson Tzvi later attributed his great passion, drive, and dedication to Torah, which eventually led to the Mir Yeshiva’s astounding and almost miraculous level of growth, where many thousands, young and old, learn Torah. HaRav Nosson Tzvi was also known for his amazing perseverance throughout his battle with Parkinson’s disease for many years, during which he remained at the helm of the Yeshiva.

יַעְלְזוּ חֲסִידִים בְּכָבוֹד, יְרַנְּנוּ עַל מִשְׁכְּבוֹתָם.

The pious ones (Yisrael) will rejoice in the )eternal( honor they receive, (and) they will sing joyously (to Hashem) even when they are alone on their beds.

Once again, we are referred to as “chasidim” at this time in the future. We will rejoice in the eternal honor showed to us. Another explanation of this phrase is that we will rejoice at that time in the honor showed to Hashem, as the entire world (and all of creation) recognizes Hashem.