Tefillah Tips - Halleluy-ah Halleli Nafshi IV- ‘Rise and Shine’

Hashem Matir Assurim, Hashem Pokeyach Ivrim, Hashem Zokef Kefufim, Hashem Ohev Tzaddikim, Hashem Shomer et Gerim, Yatom, Almanah… G-d releases those that are bound up, G-d gives forth sight to the blind, G-d straightens the bent, and G-d loves the righteous and protects the stranger, the orphan and the widow.

This passage refers not only to those that are in jail, are sightless, bent over in pain…. but to us every single day. There are many that cannot get up and out of bed in the morning for an assortment of reasons. We should be appreciative of every image that is viewed through oor intricate lenses of our eyes, and that we can sit up and stand up straight – (we all know someone with back troubles). Every day in so many ways, we are afforded these gifts and privileges by Hashem.

The first three descriptions of Hashem above are also recited each morning in the Birkat Hashachar – the fifteen morning blessings we recite at the onset of Shacharit.

I was wondering why only the first three are recited and not the fourth – Hashem Ohev Tzaddikim – G-d loves the righteous?

Perhaps the reason is that indeed a sizable portion of us do get up in the morning, can benefit from sight, and stand fully erect; but the majority of people are not yet completely Tzaddikim – Righteous. This is something for us to strive for throughout our lives. It seems that one of the ways to improve and advance towards righteousness, is to concentrate on and appreciate the manifold divine blessings that we enjoy each day. Both internally - through the inner workings of our mind, body and emotions as well as externally – through the sunrises, sunsets and all of the wonders of nature. If we focus on the eternal righteousness of G-d, it follows that some of the righteousness will reflect on us.

Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ephraim Epstein