Tehilim Perek 113

Hello everybody, I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. Today’s NachDaily is Tehilim Chapter 113.

By way of introduction, psalms 113 through 118 are known as Hallel. We’re commanded to say these 6 perakim on each festival and at times of national salvation to commemorate Hashem’s saving us from danger.

Pessachim 117A explains that Dovid added these chapters to Sefer Tehilim. They were also said by Moshe and Yisrael after they were saved from the Egyptians at the splitting of the sea, by Yehoshua after defeating the kings of Canaan, Devorah and Barak after defeating Sisra, Chizkiya after defeating Sancheriv, Chananya, Mishael, and Azarya after they were saved from Nevuchadnetzer, and Mordechai and Esther after Haman’s defeat.

Pessachim 118A also says that they are also called Hallel Hamitzri , the Egyptian Hallel, as opposed to Tehilim one hundred and thirty-six which is called Hallel Hagadol, the big Hallel.

Hallel Hamitzri is considered in a certain way greater than Hallel Hagdol because is themes are essential to Jewish faith. The themes of these 6 chapters are yitziyas Mitzrayim, splitting of the sea, the receiving of the Torah, techiyas hameisim, revival of the dead, and Mashiach.

In this perek, the author relates that because of God’s omnipotence, it is fitting to praise Him. The mere fact that the sun rises and sets is praise to God, because who would even think of creating such amazingly beautiful things as sunrise and sunset? Hashem is far beyond this world, at the same time involved in it by lifting up the destitute. Hashem is in totally control, even allowing a barren woman to have children.

Verse 7 says:

מְקִימִי מֵעָפָר דָּל מֵאַשְׁפֹּת יָרִים אֶבְיוֹן׃

He raises the poor from the dust, lifts up the needy from the heap of trash.

The Sforno explains that while Am Yisrael is in exile, it’s considered as if we’re in the dust. Ultimately Hashem will lift us up out of the dust by restoring us to our original greatness and grandeur.

Alternatively, I once heard a great remez, hint, to Mashiach on this idea from Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum in Chevron. The passuk says “me’ashpot yarim evyon, from the trash Hashem will pick us up. There’s a tradition that Mashiach will first come to the Beis Hamkidash through Shaar Ashpot, the Gate of Dust, to lift us all up.

May we merit singing the final Hallel when Mashiach comes, and once again our nation experiences national salvation. We will all greet Mashiach at Shaar Ashpot as he enters the Beis Hamikdash.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.