Torah Behind the Tune

We recently heard a shiur from Harav Yussie Zakutinsky, shlita, that opened up a whole new dimension to a song we thought we already understood.

Until now, the way we related to it was simple and beautiful. We’re celebrating Moshe Rabbeinu as the ultimate rebbe. The one who brought down the Torah and who continues to channel it to every generation. He is the original teacher, linking all future transmitters of Torah back to the source. That alone is enough to sing about.

But Reb Yussie shared something deeper, a teaching from the Arizal that added a powerful layer of meaning.

We say every Shabbos morning, “Yismach Moshe bimatnas chelko” — Moshe was happy with the gift of his portion. What is that portion? What exactly is he so happy about?

The Arizal explains that when a person sins, they don’t lose the spiritual levels they once reached. Those madreigos are still theirs, but they become blocked and inaccessible. So what happens? Hashem entrusts those madreigos to a Tzadik.

There are two kinds of Tzadikim. Some take those levels and keep them. But the greater ones hold onto them as a pikadon, a deposit. When the person returns through teshuvah, those levels are given back.

That’s the deeper meaning behind the words in Shemoneh Esrei: “V’sim chelkeinu imahem.” We’re asking that when we fall, our spiritual portion should end up with Tzadikim who are merely holding it for us temporarily, and not taking it for themselves.

And who is the greatest of those Tzadikim? Moshe Rabbeinu: the eved neeman. Every Erev Shabbos, during that in-between time of bein hashmashos, Moshe descends from Above and returns to us the crowns we wore at Har Sinai. The same crowns that were taken after the sin of the Eigel. In other words, he returns the madreigos we thought were lost forever.

That is his cheilek. And he is happy with it. Because it means he knows he is just watching over what is rightfully ours – never to keep it – only to return it when we are ready.

Reb Yussie pointed out an additional incredible insight. Look at the full line: “V’sein sachar tov lechol habotchim bishimcha… V’sim chelkeinu imahem.” Who are these Tzadikim who we want to be watching over our portion??

Not just those who believe in Hashem. We’re talking about Tzadikim who have bitachon in “shimcha.” And shimcha – Your Name – is a reference to the Shechinah. The Shechinah, in the writings of Chazal and the Mekubalim, refers to Knesses Yisrael, the soul of the Jewish people.

So essentially we’re asking that our madreigos be held, specifically, by those who believe in the Jewish people. They don’t just trust in Hashem, but trust in His people. Not just faith in Heaven, but faith also in the messengers here on Earth.

Emunah means there was never a question. Bitachon means there could be a question, and even then you still believe. It means trusting even when it looks like someone is too far gone. When the light seems to have gone out. When the levels have been lost and forgotten.

Tzadikim like Moshe Rabbeinu don’t ever give up on Klal Yisroel returning to claim their levels back. Because they believe, fully and deeply, that one day they’ll ascend to take them back.

So when you sing “Yismach Moshe bimatnas chelko,” you’re singing about a rebbe who rejoices in guarding your greatness. He doesn’t want it for himself. He’s simply waiting for the moment when you’re ready to come claim what was always yours.

And he’ll be there when you do.

Song Name: Yismach Moshe

Artist: DJ Fabreng Feat. Moshe Storch & Sruly Green

Lyrics

ישמח משה רבינו

ישמח משה במתנת חלקו

כי עבד נאמן קראתו לו