Rabbi Roodyn

Verse 11 (contd.)

יא) הוֹרֵנִי ה’ דַּרְכֶּךָ וּנְחֵנִי בְּאֹרַח מִישׁוֹר לְמַעַן שׁוֹרְרָי

Teach me your way Hashem, and lead me in path of integrity because of my watchful foes.

The Malbim then offers an additional explanation, saying that when one is on a journey there are two main problems that can prevent a person from arriving at their destination.

1. Not knowing the way to their destination – to this David says הריני ה’ דרכך – show me the way.
2. The many obstructions and challenges that one can encounter on the way. For that David asks ונחני בארח מישור – lead me in the straight path.

He explains that this is a mashal for man’s spiritual quest in life. David asks to be taught and informed of that which he does not know and in addition he asks Hashem to save him from his yetzer hara which is the greatest impediment to spiritual growth and achievements.

Both of these factors serve to save him from his enemies on two levels. Namely the physical adversaries who are threatening his life and the spiritual challenges that are threatening his eternity.

As we prepare for Rosh Hashana, a day when we are able to see things clearly, we have to make sure that we are not blinded by that light and that it can indeed serve to guide us.

In order for this to be a possibility, we need to ask Hashem both for clarity and awareness of our challenges and for the help that we need in order to overcome them.

Please daven for a refua shleima for

Sheva Bas Sara rivkah

Chana Bracha Bas Rus

Zev Yaakov Moshe Ben Chaya

Avraham Ben Rachel