The Benoni

Perek Shira

Introduction

Rebbe (Yehuda Hanassi) said, “Anyone who engrosses himself in Perek Shira in this world merits to learn and to teach, to observe and to fulfill and to perform (Torah and mitzvoth), and his learning succeeds, and he is delivered from the Evil Inclination and from all harm, and from castigation of the grave and from the verdict of Gehennom, and from the birth pangs of Moshiach, and enjoys longevity of days, and merits life in the World-to-Come.

It is taught that Rabbi Eliezer said: Anyone who occupies himself with Perek Shira in this world merits to recite it in the World to Come, for it is written, “Then, Moses shall sing” – it doesn’t say “sang”, but “shall sing” in the World to Come.

It is taught that Rabbi Eliezer the Great said: “Anyone who engrosses himself in Perek Shira every day – I bear witness that he is destined for the World-to-Come, and is delivered from calamity, and from the Evil Inclination, and from severe judgment, and from the Satan, and from all types of evil and destruction. Commit with all your heart and with all your soul to know My ways, and to guard the gates of My holy shrine and to observe My laws and commandments. Hold My Torah in your heart and may the awe of Me be before your eyes. Guard your mouth and your tongue from all transgression and guilt, and I shall be with you wherever you go, and I shall teach you wisdom and knowledge from everything. Know full well that everything The Holy One Blessed Be He created was created for His own glory, as it is said (Isaiah 43:7), ‘Anything that carries My name was created in My honor – I created it, I produced it, I made it!’”

Our sages of blessed memory said that when King David completed the Book of Psalms, he had a feeling of self satisfaction. He said before The Holy One Blessed Be He, “Is there any creation in Your world that says songs and praises more than I do?” That same hour, a frog appeared to him, and said to him: “David! Don’t be complacent, for I say songs and praises more than you do. Not only that, but three thousand parables are said about every sonnet that I recite, for it is said (Kings I 5:12), “And he spoke three thousand parables and his songs were one-thousand and five. “Not only that, but I involve myself in a great mitzvah, and this is the mitzvah that I involve myself with: There’s a specie on the beach whose sustenance comes exclusively from (creatures that live) in the water, and when it’s hungry, it takes me and eats me. I therefore fulfill the mitzvah of that what is said (Proverbs 25:21-22), “If your adversary is hungry, feed him; if he’s thirsty, give him water to drink, for you shall heap hot coals on his head and Hashem shall reward you. Rather than reading “shall reward you”, read “shall make you complete.”

The following Essays on Perek Shira, are reprinted with the kind permission of RevachL’Neshama.

Pie in The Sky

If you are feeling like you have reached the top and are greater than those around you, think of the Heavens. They soar above the entire world yet rather than look down and gloat, they use their front row seats to look up at Hashem and marvel at his glory. When you are up look up! Don’t look down. Think about reaching the next level rather than feeling satisfied about what you have already achieved. “Hashayim misaprim kvod Kel”. The Heaven’s speak of Hashem’s honor.

The Heavens – Are You On a Pedestal?

Did you ever ask yourself why Hashem made someone rich if he is such a crook? Or why Hashem wasted such an enormous amount of brains on someone so arrogant? Or why he gave such wonderful children to such a miserable father?

Keep in mind that if Hashem has blessed you in a way that makes you the envy of people around you must behave like you are on a pedestal because you are. You are an example of Hashem’s handiwork and you should reflect his greatness and justify his decision to endow you with these gifts. Just like the great Heavens sing “Hashayim misaprim kvod Kel” the Heaven that Hashem made so high and great sing are a testament to Hashem’s greatness and you should also be.

The Earth – Are You A Doormat?

If you are feeling like the doormat of the world, the bottom of the totem pole, stepped on by all those around you, remember that Hashem created everything including the ground. You have a direct relationship with Him and have the same access as the “higher ups” to get to him. When you are down look up! Nothing separates you from the top.

“To Hashem belongs the whole earth and it contents, the world and all its inhabitants” “From the edges of the earth songs are heard…”

Keep The Faith, The Night Will Soon End

Sunset is beautiful and sad. The day is over. As we watch the darkness slowly creep in it can set off a state of panic. Will it ever get light again? Will the day come back? Although the past is never an indication of the future nevertheless we all relax with the perfect belief that the night will not stay forever. The morning will come and bring back the light. A new day will begin and with it new horizons.

In our personal lives as well even in our darkest hour we should have perfect faith in Hashem that the darkness is a time to rest and regroup because morning is just around the bend.

“L’Hagid Baboker Chasdecha V’Emunascha BaLeilos”; Keep your faith in the dark night because by the morning you will speak of Hashem’s kindness.

NOTE: These Essays will continue.