Understanding Tefilah: Hodu - 3

Rav Dovid Lessin

“Zichru nifl’otav asher asa, moftav u’mishp’tei pihu,” “Remember His wonders that He did, His marvels and judgments of His mouth.”  

In this pasuk Dovid HaMelech begins reflecting on the wonders of our history, a theme that continues for 11 psukim.  Jewish History is one of the more effective ways to appreciate Hashem’s involvement in our lives.  Here we are being encouraged not only to proclaim Hashem’s greatness, as we focused on in the previous psukim, but to remember it, to let it fill our consciousness on the inside of our being, so that we live constantly with an awareness of the personal protection our people have received for all of history.

The Vilna Gaon writes that “mofet” refers to when Hashem changes the natural order, whereas “pele” is when Hashem creates something anew that never existed before.  Hashem does both of these solely for our sake!  And yet, writes Rav Kook, we can fall into routine and forget how amazing this really is.  For that reason we are told “zichru,” “remember,” draw upon your ability to go back in time and relive the wondrous moments that happened, so that you can live with the “rishmei kodesh,” the “holy impressions” that those who were there were filled with.  This is one way to live with a visceral sense of history unfolding, and to not take Hashem’s hashgacha for granted.

“Zera Yisrael avdo, b’nei Yaakov b’chirav,” “The seed of Israel, His servant, the sons of Yaakov, His chosen ones.”  

The term “eved,” “servant,” is the greatest title a Jew can receive.  Moshe Rabbeinu, our most exalted leader, was referred to as “eved.”  It is a label that Jews for centuries have worn with pride, because it signifies subservience to the greatest purpose in this world, i.e. carrying out Hashem’s goal for the entire world.  Here, Yaakov is referred to as “eved,” and yet also as the father of those who were chosen.  These descriptions go together: One who makes himself into an emissary of G-d is chosen to carry out a special mission.  This can be any one of us, if we only choose to place ourselves among that special group.