Shacharis > Korbonos > Hodu
Based on Aish Ha’avodah
The Tefillah of Hodu is said as an introductory prayer before the section of Pesukei D’zimra begins (for those who daven nusach s’fard). Rather than being chapters of Tehillim or songs, it is a lengthy compilation of verses from various sources.
The Baal Shem Tov taught us: “The beginning of everything (ie. every davening) is without hislavus (fiery passion), and only after starting to act (ie daven) do we start to develop a connection of hislavus.” In that regard, the pesukim of Hodu are still part of the ‘warmup’ of the beginning section of davening. The goal is to ‘come out of Hodu’ fired up and ready to sing the praises to Hashem of Pesukei Dzimra.
Of course it is impossible to force yourself to feel hislavus. The The Baal Shem Tov’s strategy is that if while we are saying the verses of Hodu we do not feel a fiery connection, we should not be thrown off or upset by this. Instead, we should try to push ourselves to say the words to the best of our ability (meaning with the most amount of focus possible), without trying to force ourselves to feel inspired or passionate. Over time, throughout the lengthy section of Hodu, with the help of Hashem, we will see our passion begin to develop.
Some have the custom to recite Yedid Nefesh before Hodu, which is a song that describes the deep yearning and desire that our neshamah has to cling to Hashem. This can help one bring these feelings of yearning to the surface.
The Arizal gives another intention of Hodu. As we’ve written in previous weeks, part of the pnimius of saying Korbonos at the beginning of davening is that we identify and attack the klipos that conceal Hashem’s presence by ‘burning them’ and drawing their life force out of them. Although this is an effective way to remove that which conceals Hashem’s presence, now that the klipos are gone, we don’t just stop there. Now we want to proactively go out of our way to publicly declare and reveal Hashem’s presence! We accomplish this through the verses of Hodu which declare Hashem’s greatness.
“One should not say: When I can daven with hislavus (fiery passion) I will daven, but if I cannot I won’t push myself to daven. The truth is to the contrary! If a king would dress up as a simple soldier and enter the battlefield, those who are very close to the king would recognize him based on the way he walks and acts. However, those who don’t know the king intimately will still know that he is around – albeit concealed – by the fact that he is surrounded by many bodyguards. Wherever there are the most guards, that’s where the king is!
So too, one who is davening and is unable to ‘find the King,’ that itself is the greatest sign that the King is right there before him, and He is merely being guarded and that is why His presence is being concealed. Such a person should strengthen himself with conviction that the King is undoubtedly there, and push himself to reveal His presence.”
Moment of Mindfulness:
When saying Hodu, we are declaring Hashem’s greatness now that we’ve removed the klipos from concealing Him. Say the words with as much focus as you can, and remember that if there are ‘guards’ concealing Hashem’s presence from you, that itself is the biggest indicator that Hashem is nearby!
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 20.