Close To Torah

This is a well-known psalm about the fresh and exciting start of new things. We say this psalm entitled Mizmor Shir every single morning of the year at the start of psukei d’zimrah. This psalm weaves together excitement, thanksgiving and a call to Hashem for inspiration and further success. Just as this psalm was used for the inauguration of the great Temple, so too we start our morning off by reciting it in our miniature temple, our synagogue. The Mishna in Bikurim (3:4) tells us that when the Israelites brought their first fruits up to the Beis Hamikdash during the festival of Shavuos it was this specific psalm that the Levites sang to greet the guests as they entered the courtyard. Lastly, the psalm is the Song of the Day for Chanukah as well (Sofrim 18:2). What is so special about it?

Longing

The psalm is fascinating because it attributes the building of the Beis Hamikdash to King David which appears at first glance to be incorrect. In truth it was David who bought the land and laid the foundation but Hashem did not let him build it. It was only King Shlomo, David’s son who completed it. Yet, the psalm opens by declaring the temple to have been built by David. Siddur Tzilusa D’Avraham explains that since David so deeply longed to build the Mikdash and he had put in his full effort to make it happen, even though ultimately he was unable to complete it, he still received credit as if he accomplished the feat.

This also explains why the psalm is recited every morning right after we complete the recitation of korbanos, sacrificial offerings. Chazal (Menachos 110a) tell us that even though there is no Beis Hamikdash, when one recites the korbanos and longs to offer them, he is credited as if he brought them. This is followed by a great proof expressed in our psalm. David longed to build the Mikdash itself and thus he is credited in having built it (all from Siddur Tzilusa D’Avraham).

Effort

This is the most powerful message that we can begin our day with. We have many lofty goals which we would like to accomplish. Our job is to simply start and try our best; Hashem will decide whether or not we will succeed. When we put in our best effort we are credited with accomplishing the goal regardless of the actual outcome. This is the message of Bikurim as well. The first fruits are given to Hashem and brought to the Beis Hamikdash to show that one wishes to dedicate his efforts towards the service of Hashem. This is certainly the message of Chanukah as well. The Chashmonaim fought to restore their spiritual freedom to serve Hashem. They won after great sacrifice and against all odds by way of miracle (al hanisim). They wanted to light the menorah but only had enough oil for one night. They put in their best effort and Hashem made a miracle to carry them over for the next eight days in which the lights miraculously continued to burn. When we put in our effort we accomplish the greatest results.     

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