TEHILLIM: Psalms 1:3. Happy like a tree

We already examined the first two verses of  Psalm 1 (see this). David haMelekh, the author of this Psalm, explains that the Jewish pursue of happiness begins by knowing that we should avoid the company of bad or shallow people . Why? Because consciously or not they will influence negatively in our lives driving us away from the path to happiness.  For a Jew, true happiness consists in following the lead of HaShem our God. And this is done by studying His Tora.  The third verse says that the man who follows the path of HaShem:  "...will be like a tree planted on streams of water, bearing fruit each season. Its leaves will never wither. And he will prosper in all he will do" "A tree planted on streams of water" David haMelekh compares this happy man with a tree. Why? Because both grow. There is probably no bigger frustration than realizing our own stagnation, when we see that we are in the same spot year after year. Happiness is the effect of realizing that we progress. When we study Tora, King David says, we are constantly growing. Emotionally; in our wisdom and in perfecting our character. This tree/man will be "planted" in watered ground. The water/Tora will be constantly feeding its roots and stimukating its development.  "Fruits" This tree will bring forth its fruits and will have strong leaves. "Fruits" are the rewards for a man's life of virtue. The fruits are his children, those who will continue the lead of HaShem.  Contrary to the feeling of stagnation, a man that has fruits sees that his example will continue even after he is gone.   "Leaves" Unlike fruits which are beneficial to the tree itself, the leaves, the shadow that they create, is enjoyed by others. This man's happiness will consists not just in seeing the fruits of his actions but also by seeing that what he does is productive for others.  Charity, good deeds, helping others, teaching Tora, etc. these are the type of actions represented by the leaves/shadow of this tree. King David asserts that what a Jew must do to pursue happiness  is to keep away from bad influences and to follow the lead of HaShem, i.e., His Tora. Then "He will prosper in everything he does".     Dedicated to Rivkah and Jacob Bitton for the birth of their baby boy.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

    

TEHILIM and the pursuit of happiness (Psalm 1)

Understanding Tehilim is the Jewish secret to build one's character.  Tehilim teaches us many important life lessons. Let us see , for example, the first mizmor (Psalm). 1:1 Happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stands around with sinners, or joins in with mockers. God created us with the purpose of being happy. Happiness, according to King David the author of Tehilim, depends on the combination of at least two elements: what we should pursue in life and what we should avoid.  This Psalm begins from the later.  First, King David cautions us to stay away from three type of people.  a. Wicked. The wicked are those who are ideologically driven. They might be giving us advice or try to influence us against our well-being, for the sake of their own agendas. Illustration (a real case): a college professor with a strong anti-Israel agenda who identifies a young uninformed Jewish student and influences her to participate in an anti-Israel demonstration (what could be more desirable for his interests than a Jew rallying against Israel!).  b. Sinners:  These are those who live a meaningless life and whose main efforts are oriented to satisfy their instincts and basic desires. Keep away from this lifestyle. They confuse happiness with temporary physical pleasures.    3. Mockers (in modern Hebrew "clowns"). Are those who not maliciously, but foolishly, act as if their main purpose in life will be "entertainment". They devote all their free time to frivolity and shallowness. They are time-killers. And live distracted from the real meaning of life.   King David says that our pursuit of happiness could be compromised by associating ourselves with the wrong type of  people.  Those who we befriend and/or learn from. If we follow their lead, true happiness will elude us.  1:2. His delight is in the Tora of HaShem, and he meditates on it day and night. David haMelekh now begins to explain what we should pursue. Happiness for us, the Jewish people, consists in following the lead of our Creator. Our formula for happiness starts by studying Tora. Acquiring thus the most important wisdom: God's wisdom.  (to be continued)

Click here to listen  Tehilim Psalm 1, Sephardic melody.      Click  here, Tehilim Psalm 1, Yemenite version.

Tehilim and the most important Business Partner

  פותח את ידך ומשביע לכל חי רצון

Last week we explained that in order to get the most from reading Tehilim we need to understand what we are saying (see here).  The ideas of Tehilim will increase our awareness of HaShem's Presence in our lives. 

  

One example:  The rabbis established to recite Psalm 145, Tehila le David (aka ashre yoshebe betekha) three times a day.  Why? Mainly for the idea contained in the verse poteah et yadekha:  145:16 "When You open Your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living creature".

  

God is the ultimate provider. His intervention is not limited to the jungle's food-chain or the marine ecological system. This verse teaches us that HaShem also intervenes in human society. Besides (or despite) our best efforts, our livelihood depends on His will. It is up to Him to grant us health and wisdom. And even business opportunities. He closes doors and opens new doors. He is our Senior Business Partner. Realizing that our Parnasa isultimately in His hands brings us hope and tranquility (bitahon). And helps us to surf peacefully the turbulent waters of our modern economy. 

  

This is why according to the shulhan arukh (OH 51:7) if we just read this verse ("When You open Your hands...") and we did not have the proper understanding its meaning (kavana), we need to recite it again. 

  

Incorporating the idea that HaShem is our business partner gives a whole new meaning to our business and to our lives. For example: I will surely behave with total honesty, integrity and with an unstoppable optimism with HaShem Present in my business. It will be easier (and absolutely logical!) for me to give Tzedaqa, i.e., to open MY hands as a payback to HaShem's opening HIS hands to me. 

(Once you understand the meaning of this verse, repeat it to yourself every day as many times as needed).

The Secret Power of Tehilim

David haMelekh, the greatest King of Israel was also the greatest poet in the Jewish people. He composed the book of Tehilim (Psalms).  Tehilim is a TOTAL book. A book we can relate to from virtually any emotional condition we are experiencing in our lives.  Any mood or state of mind.  Why? In Tehilim David heMelekh writes about happiness (For example Psalm 1, 118);  gratitude to God (18, 100 and many others), and praise to HaShem (about on fifth of the book). But he also writes about fear (23,71), war and escape from his enemies (many!), his sickness and near death experience (30,40). His remorse and sincere repentance (25, 32, 51). His awe for HaShem's wisdom (8,19,104), his trust in God's just retribution despite the apparent success of the wicked (37, 73) and many many more subjects. David haMelekh was granted ruah haqodesh (Prophetic Inspiration, one level below Prophecy) to write his Psalms. And his personal experiences.  David had a truly turbulent life. He personally suffered persecution, war, death of his loved ones, fear of death, remorse, sadness and fear. But he also experienced immense happiness, delight and joy and spiritual ecstasy. The special thing about King David is that in all these intense, profound and diverse  life situations he always saw the Presence (or sought the intervention) of HaShem. Tehilim teaches us that despite all our efforts HaShem is the ultimate source of our good health and success.  Tehilim also offers comfort and hope in times of despair by making us realize that HaShem is with us at all times. "Even if I would walk under the shadows of death, I will not be afraid, for I know that You are with me." (23)   The power of Tehilim consists in the power of its ideas.  They feed and strengthen our Emuna, i.e., our ability to see Him always, Present and Caring. One condition is required for Tehilim to work effectively and impact our Emuna: we must understand what we are reading. (To be continued....)

To get  "Awesome Creation"  click here Read the Introduction HERE