Shemoneh Esrei 9: Good vs. Pure Good

גומל חסדים טובים וקונה הכל

Who bestows beneficial kindnesses and creates everything

Hashem is constantly bestowing pure good upon us.  Pure good can be understood in multiple ways:

It can be understood as the type of good that will never result in any bad [Beis Tefilah, S’fas Emes].  A human being can bestow good upon someone only in the current moment.  The “bestower” has no control over what results may come about in the future from the good he is bestowing now.  Hashem, Who is in complete control of the past, present, and future, is the only one who can bestow good that will be good now and will be good in the future.  As an example, the S’fas Emes says that sometimes Hashem knows that if the person asking for a particular “good” receives it right now, he will become haughty and not remember that it came from Hashem, thereby distancing him from Hashem.  This will clearly not be in his best interest.  For now, it is better for him to continue davening to Hashem, remaining attached to Him by continuing to remember that all is in Hashem’s control and that all comes from Him.

A second understanding of “pure good” is that many times what appears to us as good is really detrimental to us, and what may appear to us as “bad” may in fact be good for us.  Only Hashem knows what is “pure good” for us in this world as well as in the eternal world, though to us many times even that “good” tastes bitter.  As we have discussed this in the past a number of times, we will not expand upon it any further here.

A third understanding is that “pure good” cannot reduce our z’chuyos (merits) [Keser Nehora and S’fas Emes].  Sometimes Hashem bestows good upon someone but it reduces his z’chuyos.  This is not “pure” good, even though it may be totally good both for this world now and for the future.  The S’fas Emes explains that when we feel that we deserve good treatment due to our merits, that good will in fact reduce our z’chuyos.  If, however, we remember that all that Hashem bestows upon us is His chasadim, which means above and beyond anything we may deserve, then the חסדים will in fact be טובים and will not reduce our זכויות.

“קונה הכל” means that Hashem makes (creates) everything and thereby owns everything [Rashi, Ramban].  קונה  is a present tense, indicating that He renews Maasei B’reishis every day [Reishis Chochmah], and runs the world through His constant and wondrous hashgachah pratis at all times over all of His creations [Malbim].

This concept further explains how HaKadosh Baruch Hu can bestow good that will be pure good: Since He controls every aspect of creation at every moment, He and only He can ensure that the good remains good.

“קונה הכל” can also mean that Hashem fixes and corrects all.  As we will say in the next brachah, He supports the falling, heals the sick, unties the bound, continues to bestow forgiveness, etc.