Rabbi Roodyn

‘יד) קַוֵּה אֶל ה’ חֲזַק וְיַאֲמֵץ לִבֶּךָ וְקַוֵּה אֶל ה

Hope to Hashem, strengthen yourself and He will give you courage and hope to Hashem!

Our chapter concludes with a message of hope and strength. Rashi explains that the reason why the words ‘Hope to Hashem’ are repeated is to teach us that if at first you don’t see your prayers being answered, one should never give up.

The Radak adds that David used to walk around whispering positive affirmations to himself all day long. Saying words like ‘Hope to Hashem’ have the affect of strengthening one’s bitachon and fortify them against all adversaries.

The Malbim says that David’s success wasn’t just due to his positive attitude, rather it was in the merit of his emunah in Hashem. He explains that placing ones trust in Hashem is fundamentally different to trusting in man. When one creates a sense of dependence on another human being, this can cause tremendous feelings of insecurity. There is no guarantee that that person will be willing or able to help in the future, thus leaving them totally disheartened. Trust in Hashem, however causes a person to strengthen their heart, as the Infinite source of all existence always has the ability to deliver that which is best for us.

Furthermore, when a place their trust in another, it is to achieve a certain outcome or desire. The hoping itself is very much a means to an end rather than an end in itself. In fact in an ideal world a person would not like to have to need anyone else or place their trust in them at all. One they have attained all that they need, they don’t want to have to trust in others to be indebted to them at all. Not so when one places their trust in Hashem. The goal of bitachon is not the outcome or the achievement rather the ability to trust in Hashem is the goal itself. This explains why the words קוה אל ה’, hope to Hashem are repeated.

The malbim therefore ends this chapter with the theme that he started with. The goal of life is to develop a sense of consciousness of and a relationship with Hashem. The challenges that we face are in fact opportunities to develop a sense of reliance on Hashem and to ask Him to guide us to the right responses so that we can be shining examples of Kiddush Hashem.

When we ask for life on Rosh Hashana we are asking for a life where we can both feel Hashem’s presence constantly and in turn reflect Hashem’s presence to others through the way that we conduct ourselves, especially during challenging times.

David Hamelech chose to live this way and taught us that this is within our grasp too.

Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom