Tefillah Tips - Halleluy-ah Halleli Nafshi I

Once we conclude the Ashrei, we recite the last five chapters of Tehillim /Psalms 146-150 that are also of the last prayers before the conclusion of Pesukei Dezimra.

The Talmud states that word Halleluy-ah is the greatest praise to G-d possible because it contains both G-d’s name, i.e. Y-ah, as well as praise, i.e. Hallelu. These five chapters of Psalms refer to the Divine Providence that G-d demonstrates to individuals.

Rav Schwab zt”l explains that these five Tehillim also reflect the final five eras of the world. First, there is the pre-dawn era before Messiah, then there is the actual dawn of Messiah, then there are the Days of Moshiach, then Techiyat Hamaytim – the Resurrection of the Dead and finally the formation of the Olam Haneshamot – the World of the Souls.

The opening verse describes the totality of service King David devotes to G-d. Halleluy-ah Halleli Nafshi. Ahallalah Hashem BeChayay Azamrah Lelokay Beodi – Praise Hashem my soul – I will express praise as long as I live.

Rav Shlomo Wolbe zt”l takes note of the language of Bechayay – my soul, and Beodi – as long as I live. The usage of the Bet at the beginning of each word implies WITH my soul and WITH my life.

It is possible that a person can demonstrate his Judaism in shul, on Shabbat or at a Bar Mitzvah…. but day to day in the rest of their life, Judaism can be left out. That is why King David says – I praise G-d WITH (all of) my soul and WITH (all of) my days. There is a mitzvah and an appropriate Torah behavior for every sphere of life. May we merit modeling King David’s devotion.

Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Ephraim Epstein