Shacharis > Korbonos > Hareini M’zameim
Based on Sefer Aish HaAvodah
I prepare my mouth to thank, praise, and glorify my Creator, with the intention to unify the Holy One, blessed is He, with His Shechina, to unify the Divine name Yud Kei with Vuv Kei, in complete unity, on behalf of all the Jewish people.
Before saying Baruch She’amar, we take a moment to prepare our intention for Pesukei d’Zimrah. To do this, let’s zoom out for a moment, and understand the change that takes place when we start Baruch She’amar.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, davening is a battle. We fight with the concealment of nature and try to reveal Hashem’s presence everywhere we can. This is a form of הודאה which means to “acknowledge” or “agree.” Everything from “Modeh Ani” all the way through Korbonos is when we strip away the klipos and acknowledge the Ohr of Hashem that constantly gives us the ability to breathe, to see, to walk, and so much more. We ‘call out’ the klipos, and we elevate the most physical creations through the avodah of Korbonos.
The natural outcome of הודאה, acknowledging Hashem’s presence everywhere, is הודיה, thanking and praising Hashem. When I internalize that every breath I take is a gift from Hashem, I want to thank Hashem for every breath I take! Now that we’ve removed the concealment, we focus on revealing the light by praising Hashem in Pesukei d’Zimrah.
Our goal is to bring ourselves to a place of His’palus (awe) and Hisragshus (emotional connection). Doing so requires connecting with the inner dimension of tefillah, which is avodah shebilev, the service of the heart. But you can’t snap your fingers and just say “1-2-3-Now-I-feel-love-and-awe!” A feeling of awe and love is not something you can choose to create, but rather it can be the outcome of the proper perspectives during davening.
Chazal created the structure of davening very intentionally, with each section written and organized in the best possible way to help Yidden in every generation ignite themselves in the ‘service of the heart.’ Stay with us right here as we continue to uncover the pnimius of each section of davening!
Two people can look at the same garment and see totally different things. One is simply looking at the garment itself, but the other looks deeper, and is instantly reminded of the one to whom the garment belongs. It is the owner that he envisions when he looks at the garment. So too, two people can look at the same physical world and see totally different things. One is looking at the ‘garment,’ the outer layer of creation, and the other is reminded of the Owner, and is therefore ‘seeing’ the Creator of the world.
Moment of Mindfulness
As we prepare to begin Pesukei d’Zimrah, ask Hashem to help you articulate your praise for – and gratitude to – Hashem. We need His help for that too! Ask Hashem to give you the gift of a heartfelt connection during davening.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 23.