Transcription
Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire TANACH one Perek at a time. I’m Shaya Sussman and Today we will be starting the 1st Perek of Tehilim.
Before we begin the Radak explains this Tehilim incorporates a person’s obligation in this world. How there will be reward for the Tzaddikim and punishment for the Reshaim.
Lets start in passuk Alpeh.
אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי־הָאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר ׀ לֹ֥א הָלַךְ֮ בַּעֲצַ֪ת רְשָׁ֫עִ֥ים וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ חַ֭טָּאִים לֹ֥א עָמָ֑ד וּבְמוֹשַׁ֥ב לֵ֝צִ֗ים לֹ֣א יָשָֽׁב׃
Happy is the man who has not followed the counsel of the wicked, or taken the path of sinners, or joined the company of the insolent;
The reason why Tehilim starts with this Kapital is because it was considered very preassus to Dovid.
The Radak asks why is the word “Ashrai”, which means happy, written in the plural? It should have said “M’ushar” which is in the singular. So the Radak answers. A person who has a little bit of good in his or her life, isn’t necessarily considered happy or fortunate. Only, a person who has consistent good is considered fortunate. Therefore, Ashrai is written the plural. To allude to the consistent good, you receive when you constantly follow advice of Tzaddikim and don’t follow the advice of the Reshaim.
This sounds easier than it is. Because there is so much information out there. So many different types of advice. And even if you find good advice. How do you know its good for you?
This brings us to Passuk Bies.
כִּ֤י אִ֥ם בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָ֗ה חֶ֫פְצ֥וֹ וּֽבְתוֹרָת֥וֹ יֶהְגֶּ֗ה יוֹמָ֥ם וָלָֽיְלָה׃
Rather, the Torah of Hashem is his delight, and he studies that Torah day and night.
Good sound advice comes from the words of the Torah. But what I’ve noticed. Is many people causally throw around different ideas in the Torah. Without really understanding and clarifying what that particular Chazal means.
But when a person learns Torah because its Torah’s Hashem. They are connecting with the infinite. Something beyond themselves. Than, their Torah learning goes from Torahs Hashem – implying its God’s Torah, something you don’t have a connection to. To Toraso – Your Torah.
The Torah becomes perfectly fit and tailored to your life and your circumstance. This way you will know the proper path in Torah by receiving its advise that will be custom fit for your life.
וְֽהָיָ֗ה כְּעֵץ֮ שָׁת֪וּל עַֽל־פַּלְגֵ֫י מָ֥יִם אֲשֶׁ֤ר פִּרְי֨וֹ ׀ יִתֵּ֬ן בְּעִתּ֗וֹ וְעָלֵ֥הוּ לֹֽא־יִבּ֑וֹל וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה יַצְלִֽיחַ׃
He is like a tree planted beside streams of water, which yields its fruit in season, whose foliage never fades, and whatever it produces thrives.
Now, once a person consistently doesn’t followed people who negatively influence them. Will have the strength to weather the storms of life.
לֹא־כֵ֥ן הָרְשָׁעִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־כַּ֝מֹּ֗ץ אֲֽשֶׁר־תִּדְּפֶ֥נּוּ רֽוּחַ׃
Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away.
While the Tzaddikim are compared to strong trees. The Reshaim are like chaff blowing in the wind. Always searching for things outside of themselves to fill themselves up. Attributing their emotions to outside sources other than themselves. Which in return causes them to feel victim of circumstance. Like chaff blowing in the wind which has no internal balance.
עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ לֹא־יָקֻ֣מוּ רְ֭שָׁעִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט וְ֝חַטָּאִ֗ים בַּעֲדַ֥ת צַדִּיקִֽים׃
Therefore, the wicked will not survive judgment, nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous.
In light of what this Tehilim is saying, that it’s better to be a Tzaddik than a Rasha. Dovid, is addressing the fact you see Reshaim seemingly having a good life. Now, Dovid explains; at the end of the day, when their souls go up to heaven they won stand in judgment. Especially alongside the Tzaddikim who stood firm in Emunah with Hashem throughout the difficulties they have suffered in their lives.
This brings us to the last passuk in the perek.
כִּֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ צַדִּיקִ֑ים וְדֶ֖רֶךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֹּאבֵֽד׃
For God cherishes the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed.
Even though it may not be seen by the naked eye in this world. In God’s eyes the Derech of Tzaddikm is way more valuable and precious than the way of Reshaim.
We’ll be moving forward to the Kapital beis in the next shiur.
Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.