Shemoneh Esrei 17: Can We Perform T’chiyas Hameisim?
ומקים אמונתו לישני עפר
and maintains His faith to those asleep in the dust
We mentioned in Shemonah Esrei 15 that one novel interpretation of “ומקים אמונתו לישני עפר” is that “ישני עפר–those asleep in the dust” refers to our Avos. This week we present the simple understanding as well as an additional one. The simple understanding is that we refer to those who are now deceased (“ישני עפר”), who will arise during T’chiyas HaMeisim. Additionally, the Shem MiShmuel says that "ישני עפר" can refer to those who suffer from such severe depression that they enter a state of “yiush,” where they have given up all hope. We acknowledge here that Hashem is here to support them as well.
מי כמוך בעל גבורות ומי דומה לך
Who is like You, O Master of mighty deeds, and who is comparable to You
Rabbi Ayvu states that when we approach tefilah, we should rejoice in the privilege of being able to turn to a G-d Who is incomparable (“ומי דומה לך”). This opportunity of serving the one unique G-d should bring great joy to us (Midrash Shocheir Tov, quoted by M’silas Y’sharim perek 19).
Conclusion of the Brachah
The Zohar HaKadosh states that at the time the tzibur completes this brachah of מחיה המתים, the following (not a precise translation) is announced in Heaven: “Who is the person who concerns himself to bring back those who have strayed from the service of The Holy King?” The Zohar concludes by telling us of the great reward of such an individual. The connection between this מחיה המתים and bringing others closer to Hashem is rooted in the Gemara (B’rachos 18b), which states that “רשעים” are called "מתים" even during their lifetimes. When they return to Hashem they are in essence revived, and therefore helping them to return to Hashem is a form of T’chiyas HaMeisim.
One small act, a few words of encouragement, offering a tefilah to bring those who are distanced from Hashem back to Him, financial or other types of support for those on the front lines of kiruv – these all can bring reward that is virtually endless, since such kindnesses will impact all future generations.
The Chovos HaL’vavos (shaar Ahavas Hashem 6) writes: “My brother, it is worthwhile for you to know this: A faithful Jew may achieve the ultimate in perfecting himself for G-d. He may even become like the angels with their superb qualities, their admirable practices, their exertions to serve the Creator, and their pure love for Him. But he will never accumulate as much merit as the one who shows people the proper path and reconciles transgressors to the service of the Creator. His merits are multiplied by the merits [of those he has reconciled] and will accumulate for all time.
“Imagine two merchants who come to market, one bearing a single roll of fabric and the other bearing numerous rolls. The merchant who brings only one roll could recover his investment tenfold and still earn only a hundred zuz. The other, however, may only double his investment, but considering the sheer volume of merchandise he has brought to market, he could earn ten thousand zuz.
“In the same way,” the Chovos HaL’vavos concludes, “a person who perfects only himself gains only a limited amount of merit, but a person who elevates not only himself, but others as well, multiplies his own merit by all the merit of those he has brought closer to G-d.”
As we conclude this brachah, hoping for Hashem to bring the era of Mashiach and the era of T’chiyas HaMeisim, we must remember that we are commanded to emulate Hashem. We have the ability to emulate Hashem even in this act of t’chiyas ha’meisim by involving ourselves with bringing back His children to Him.