Shacharis >Korbonos > Ana B’Koach
Based on Sefer Aish Ha’Avodah
When you take a quick glance at Ana B’Koach, you’ll notice on the left side, pairs of abbreviations on each line. These ‘words’ were formed from the first letter of every word of that line in Ana B’Koach. What do these acronyms spell out? What is its significance? Why do we say it at this point of davening, and why do we also say it during Kabbalas Shabbos?
These letters, which are not supposed to be read, form a 42-letter name of Hashem. Davening is a process during which we elevate our neshamos from our world and ascend to a higher, spiritual world. There are four worlds. The one we ‘live’ in is called Olam Ha’asiya, the world of action, and the one above it is called Olam Ha’Yetzira, the world of creation (lit. “forming”). Without delving too deeply into the nature of each spiritual world, this part of davening is when our neshamos can ascend from the world we are in, to the one above it. In practical terms, this is the time for a special spiritual elevation, and Ana B’Koach is the elevator.
The Tzadikim teach us that the pathway to climbing to a loftier spiritual world, at any time, is to ignite our soul with a fiery passion of deep yearnings (kissufim) for closeness to Hashem. The teffilah of Ana B’Kach is a powerful expression of this yearning, as we beg Hashem to “Accept the song of Your people, watch over them, make them pure, accept our prayer, hear our cry,” and so on.
On a deeper level, the Zohar writes: “It is known that nothing can ascend above its current spiritual level, if it is not through the power of the 42-letter name of Hashem. It is the secret of three times the word ד“י, Yad, which is the secret of the way ‘hands’ can grab ahold of something and lift it up to a higher level…”
The secrets of this Zohar are beyond our scope here, but a simple lesson we can learn is that the way to ascend to a higher spiritual level is to be lifted up by ‘hands’ that grab ahold of you. We may tend to think that we are the ones who elevate ourselves, but the reality is that no matter how holy or connected we are, we need the ‘hands’ of Hashem to bring us closer to Him.
Other special times when we say this teffilah include Kabbalas Shabbos, as explained below, the bedtime shema, sefiras ha’omer, and lighting the menorah on Chanukah. Ana B’Koach is the spiritual elevator, and every time we are told to say it, that is an indication that we are being invited ‘upstairs.’
It seems apropos that a common tune to sing to Ana B’Koach on Friday night is the Carlbach tune for his song “Lord Get Me High!”
The nullification of the klipos and the unity of all spiritual worlds happens on Erev Shabbos. This is why it was established to say Ana B’koach, which contains and represents the 42-letter name, at that time. Through this we demonstrate the unity of the upper and lower worlds… when we do this on Erev Shabbos, to unify the abilities of the creations with the Creator, the Ein Sof. We receive new shefa (abundance) from Hashem, because the creations cause the Creator to give new life-energy. This is the secret of the neshamah yesairah, the additional neshamah we are given on Shabbos. — Ohev Yisroel
Moment of Mindfulness
As you say Ana B’koach, think about the fact that your neshamah has been invited to ascend to a higher spiritual world. Express your yearning (kissufim) to elevate yourself through the powerful words of this teffilah. Envision the metaphorical ‘hands of Hashem’ reaching down, grabbing ahold of you, and lifting you up to a place of closeness to Him.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 18.