Tehilim Perek 15

Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, and today we’ll be discussing Tehilim, perek tes vav. This is a short perek, with only 5 pessukim.

In this perek, Dovid points out 10 positive qualities on which a person should work to guarantee himself a spot in Gan Eden.

It’s interesting to note that the Zohar links up the 10 traits that Dovid mentions in this kapital with the Aseres Hadibros. This shows us that learning Torah and having proper Middos go hand and hand.

מִזְמ֗וֹר לְדָ֫וִ֥ד יְ֭הֹוָה מִי־יָג֣וּר בְּאָהֳלֶ֑ךָ מִֽי־יִ֝שְׁכֹּ֗ן בְּהַ֣ר קָדְשֶֽׁך

A psalm of David. LORD, who may sojourn in Your tent, who may dwell on Your holy mountain?

The Meforshim explain that Dovid begins with the question, “How can mortal man actually come close to the tent of God?” He answers that it’s through man’s actions that he is allowed to emulate and come close to Him. Through our actions in this world we form a deep connection with God.

There’s an awesome Alsich Hakadosh here. He explains this passuk as a reference to Techiyas Hamaisim as follows: Notice how our passuk gives two destinations. First it says who will sojourn in Your Ohalechah -tent. Than it says who will dwell on Your Mountain.

A tent is a non-permanent structure only meant to last for a short period of time. Therefore, Your Ohalechah -tent, is referring to the place in Heaven where your soul goes after it leaves this world. It stays there almost like a temporary holding cell. The neshama than gets sent back down to this world at the time of final redemption and Techiyas Hamasim.

The soul will then reach its ultimate completion by reentering the body and serving God on His holy mountain in Yerushalyim, on the Temple Mount when the 3^rd Beis Hamikdash is established.

הוֹלֵ֣ךְ תָּ֭מִים וּפֹעֵ֥ל צֶ֑דֶק וְדֹבֵ֥ר אֱ֝מֶ֗ת בִּלְבָבֽוֹ׃

He who lives without blame, who does what is right, and in his heart acknowledges the truth;

Returning to the simple explanation of this perek about working on your character, Dovid explains that a person needs to walk with temimus, wholesomeness.

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov explains in Sichos Haran that it takes no sophistication to come close to Hashem. We need to walk with great simplicity and utter joy in serving God.

How many times do we lose our simplicity by over thinking, over analyzing, probing other people’s intentions and being way too critical of ourselves?

As Dovid relates in this passuk, just simply do what’s right and don’t do what is wrong in Hashem’s eyes.

לֹֽא־רָגַ֨ל ׀ עַל־לְשֹׁנ֗וֹ לֹא־עָשָׂ֣ה לְרֵעֵ֣הוּ רָעָ֑ה וְ֝חֶרְפָּ֗ה לֹא־נָשָׂ֥א עַל־קְרֹֽבוֹ׃

whose tongue is not given to evil; who has never done harm to his fellow, or borne reproach for [his acts toward] his neighbor;

The Radak explains that the words, “Lo asah l’ra’ehu ra’ah – Has not done any harm to his friend,” includes all the positive commandments regarding bein adam l’chavero – man and his friend.

Dovid continues to explain how we can work on ourselves to guarantee a spot in Olam Habah.

נִבְזֶ֤ה ׀ בְּֽעֵ֘ינָ֤יו נִמְאָ֗ס וְאֶת־יִרְאֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה יְכַבֵּ֑ד נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לְ֝הָרַ֗ע וְלֹ֣א יָמִֽר׃ כַּסְפּ֤וֹ ׀ לֹא־נָתַ֣ן בְּנֶשֶׁךְ֮ וְשֹׁ֥חַד עַל־נָקִ֗י לֹ֥א לָ֫קָ֥ח עֹֽשֵׂה־אֵ֑לֶּה לֹ֖א יִמּ֣וֹט לְעוֹלָֽם׃

for whom a contemptible man is abhorrent, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who stands by his oath even to his hurt; who has never lent money at interest, or accepted a bribe against the innocent. The man who acts thus shall never be shaken.

That’s the end of the perek, but for the sake of clarity I will recap the 10 traits:

Be simple, do what is right, and be true to your heart.

Don’t cause harm to a person through your speech, and don’t shame any individual.

Be humble in your own eyes, respect God-fearing people, stand by your word or your oath, don’t lend money with interest, and don’t accept bribes.

Obviously, if a person can merit perfection in any one of these traits, how fortunate is he. Ashrecha b’olam hazeh, v’tov lach l’olam habah. It will certainly be good for you in this world and the next.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.