Shemoneh Esrei 52 - Boundless Chesed

The Beneficent One, for Your compassions were never exhausted, and the Compassionate One, for Your kindnesses never ended – always have we put our hope in You.

Recently, the January 13, 2016, US Powerball drawing created the largest jackpot in world history.  It had an annuity value of $1,586,400,000.

A close friend of mine, whose heart is much larger than his bank account, had remarked to me that he was buying a Powerball ticket in that drawing.  He then proceeded to tell me some of the many wonderful chasadim and tz’dakah he would use the vast majority of the money for, including my not having to think about money ever again.  I strongly believe that he was absolutely sincere and would have carried through on his desires, and that he will reap tremendous reward for his desires, since it is not his fault that he cannot fulfill them.  It seems for now, though, that Hashem’s plan was for him to continue to dream and have his strong sh’ifah (drive) to give billions and for me to continue working.

The language in Modim, from “הטוב–HaTov” until the end of the paragraph seems strange.  What is the distinction between “רחמיך–rachamecha” and “חסדיך–chasadecha,” and why are rachamim and chesed mixed?  Why not say “V’ha’m’racheim ki lo chalu rachamecha” and “HaTov ki lo samu chasadecha”?

Like my friend, there are special individuals who pine to be able to give limitlessly to others.  They have the heart and desire but they lack the ability.  Others, have the ability, but lack the heart and desire.

Beyond that, there are those who do have tremendous rachamim and want to help others in a big way.  However, even the most giving human beings often have a limit.  Perhaps it is the third time the same needy person comes to the door and perhaps it is the tenth.  Perhaps it is years later when he comes back with the same life situation that we have been helping him with these past several years.  Eventually, one’s rachamim diminishes and is not as strong as the first time hearing the tragic life story of this individual.

Hashem has no limits and no weakening of His rachamim.  He is “HaTov” – pure goodness – “ki lo chalu rachamecha.”  His rachamim is never-ending and never weakens.  His rachamim is at the very same level, years after a tzarah began, as it was at the outset.  Additionally, His rachamim flows to all of His creations, as we say in Ashrei: “v’rachamav al kol maasav” – no limits.

At the same time, Hashem has no limitations in His resources.  He is the “Kol Yachol.”  He has unlimited resources, because He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire Universe.  Chesed represents actions.  Hashem, the ultimateמרחם–M’racheim, provides never-ending chesed.  No limits.

To answer our initial questions, let’s note that both chesed and tov result in actions of chesed.  Hashem, the ultimate M’racheim and source of goodness (HaTov) provides never-ending chesed.  No limits.  We combine “HaTov” with “ki lo chalu rachamecha,” and we combine “v’Ha’m’racheim” with “ki lo samu chasadecha” to highlight that both Hashem’s rachamim and His actions of chesed are without limits.

(The above is based on HaRav Yitzchak Blazer, quoted in the sefer Tal’lei Oros, and HaRav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, quoted in the sefer Nafshi Cholas Ahavasecha.)

In what merit do we receive this rachamim and chesed?  By definition, rachamim and chesed are even when not deserved.  Our only merit is “ki mei’olam kivinu lach.”  We place all of our hope and reliance only on Hashem, even though we know we are undeserving of His never-ending rachamim and chesed.  Hashem is always there for those who trust and rely upon Him.  “והבוטח בה' חסד יסובבנו–V’ha’botei’ach baShem, chesed y’sov’venu” (T’hilim 32:10)

(Based on Sifsei Chaim – Midos/Avodas Hashem 1,Vaad 17 of “Bitachon”)

May we fulfill to the best of our abilities as human beings the mitzvah of “v’halachta bi’drachav” and emulate the never-ending, never-weakening rachamim and chesed of Hashem.