Shacharis > Pesukei D’zimra > _Lamnatze’ach B’niginos
Based on Aish Ha’avodah
Last week we wrote about the Song of the Sparks, Mizmor Shir, and the incredible joy the sparks of G-dliness would experience when they are released from their klipos. The truth is that we should all rejoice when Hashem is revealed more and more, and that is what we express in the tefillah of Lamnatze’ach B’niginos.
The world looks like a giant network of teva, nature, as if it is its own entity, operating on its own rules. Then a Yid comes along, battles with this concealment of Hashem, and reveals that Hateva, “the nature” which has the same numerical value as ‘Elokim,’ is really all part of the reality of G-dliness, and there is nothing else in this world besides Hashem, Ein Od Milvado! Then, the very entities that used to conceal Hashem’s presence are the cause of a revelation of Hashem. When the enemies of the King bow their heads and fall in line with the Kingship, the King’s subjects rejoice, as there is no greater honor to the King than that!
This tefillah expresses the victory of the forces of holiness when the nations of the world and the klipos admit to the existence of the Creator. As the Alshich Hakodesh writes, “When the attribute of judgment and gevurah will join in praising Hashem, a tremendous amount of chesed, abundance, and kindness will flow down onto the Jewish people.”
You may be familiar with seeing this chapter of Tehillim written out in a unique way to form the shape of a menorah. The Ohr Lashamayim brings down from very early sources that forming this chapter into the shape of a menorah in your mind, is a tremendous tikkun to purify your mind from improper thoughts.
The Kaf Hachaim writes, “Hashem showed the chapter of Lamnatzeach written on a sheet of gold, formed in the shape of a menorah, to Dovid Hamelech and Moshe Rabbeinu. Dovid Hamelech would engrave this on his shield, and when he would go out to battle he would have the intention of its secrets, and his enemies would fall down before him.”
The Kaf Hachaim continues, “Therefore, we who live in an orphaned generation, and have no understanding of its deep secrets, it is appropriate to have the intention that we are connecting to the intentions of Dovid Hamelech and Moshe Rabbeinu, who understood its deeper meaning.”
Moment of Mindfulness:
When saying Lamnatze’ach, think about the great honor to Hashem that takes place when we peel away the klipos and reveal Hashem’s presence. Then, even the evil entities and nations of the world are playing a role in showing the world that there is nothing besides Hashem.
Take a moment to purify your mind by gazing at Lamnatze’ach in the form of the menorah on this page and have the intention to connect with the intentions of Dovid and Moshe, who knew its secrets.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 22.