Close To Torah

King David suffered from the pain of watching his wayward son Avshalom try to overthrow him in a rebellion that caused great pain throughout the Jewish Nation. The last Psalm (2) spoke about Gog U’Magog, the nation that will wage war against Hashem before Mashiach’s arrival and thus this Psalm speaks of a son who rebelled against his own father (based on Berachos 10a). David sang to Hashem as he fled away from his son (verse 1). How could David compose a song about this tragic event, should he not be saying lamentations (Berachos 7b)?!

David’s Perspective

David recognized that Hashem runs the world and everything that transpires comes directly from Hashem. Whereas, he expressed immense pain and sadness over the events that were happening (verse 2), he prefaced all of his feelings and expressions with an unrelenting connection and dedication to Hashem and to Divine Justice. He knew that Hashem is in full control and has a reason, though often unattainable by humans in this world, for all that he was conducting down on earth.

David’s Calm

David says that he went to sleep that night as per usual (verse 6). (David was accustomed to sleep minimally in the early night hours so that he could arise and start his day at midnight to sing the praises of Hashem (Berachos 3b). Malbim points out that had Avshalom listened to the advice of Achitofel and pursued his father that night, he would have wiped out David and his entire army, but Avshalom did not do this. David was well aware of this possibility and never-the-less, he remained calm and collected in this great trying time and put his full faith in Hashem who would protect him (verse 4). David called Hashem a “magen, shield.” This term has been used in the famous Jewish symbol called the Magen David, Shield of David.

What is the Magen David?

Many shuls use the Magen David to signify their presence. What is the symbol all about? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (OC III:15) explains that the Magen David is a symbol made up of two triangles laid one on top of the other at an angle which makes it have six sides. This represents the idea that David saw Hashem as his only source of salvation. Hashem is described as being present in all four directions, north, east, south, west, and up and down. David knew that only Hashem would deliver him from all his enemies and protect him.

Another Explanation

I have noted that the name David is spelled Daled-Vav-Daled. It is fascinating to recognize that when spelled in Hebrew and Greek, David’s three letters (ד-ו-ד) or Delta-Upsilon-Delta, make up the body of the Magen David. Additionally, the translation of Daled is “door” and the translation of Vav is “hook.” ‘David’ thus means, “door hooked (connected) to (another) door.” What is this all about? As Jews we believe that this world is the preparatory room in which learn Torah and perform Mitzvos in order to achieve great reward in the World to Come. King David used this world and connected his life and experiences to the next world. He in essence bridged the two doors and brought them together. He used his life to the fullest and reached perfection in the next world. This is precisely the reason that King David will be the one to volunteer to lead the zimun, bentching, when Mashiach comes and the Tzaddikim eat from the great meal of the Leviathan (see Pesachim 119b). David’s life embodied the full connection and commitment to Hashem. David lived his life with a deep and emotional recognition that Hashem was protecting him, guiding him and providing him with the exact events that he needed in life to make him grow and achieve his best.

 Print

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: