Tefillah Tips - Baruch Kevod Hashem Mimkomo

This is also one of the most well known verses in Jewish liturgy. We also recite it three times each morning – before the Shema, during the Kedushah and during Uvah Letzion. It is a prophecy revealed to Yechezkel mentioned in Ezekiel 3:12.

Rav Miller zt”l remarks that the Raash- noise/clamor that is referred to demonstrates the supreme importance of this praise of G-d. Think about what people make noise about in the world? For many it is the Super Bowl (depends who is playing), for others it is politics for others it may even be a great bargain. But what is really worth making a ruckus over? Ezekiel taught us that in heaven they make a big ruckus about Hashem.

As opposed to Kadosh, Kadosh Kadosh……………. which reveals that the honor and glory of Hashem is present and can be felt in every crevice of the universe, Baruch Kevod expresses the wonder of G-d and G-dliness that far surpasses our understanding. Mimkomo – from His place- we don’t begin to fathom the secrets of creation, the wonders of science and space, of physics and physiology that we encounter in our world. Baruch Kevod Hashem Mimkomo - reminds us that the essence of G-d is completely beyond us. It is Mimkomo- from HIS place.

Understanding this principle creates a needed sense of awe and wonder that reminds us that G-d is orchestrating the world. For every part of life that we believe we (society) understand and have a grip on, there are thousands that we will never begin to grasp. But that’s ok – we trust Hashem is taking care of it in His place - Baruch Kevod Hashem Mimkomo. Our task here is not to understand everything about life, rather to live it well. We must know what to invest in and when to get excited and make a ruckus about things in life.

Rabbi Berel Wein shlitta states, “You can tell a lot about a society by how leisure time is spent.” We could also say that we can tell a lot about a person by what they get excited/ intrigued about.

May we all merit to focus and invest in good and great things in life.

Shabbat Shalom. Rabbi Ephraim Epstein