David Hamelech writes; “Lecha Hashem Hagedulah, V’hagevurah etc…
In this Psalm, David Hamelech lists various ‘strengths and attributes’ of Hashem Yisborach. However, in the 6th Midda which he introduces, he inserts an attribute which seems to veer from the previously identified middos, in that it doesn’t seem to identify the greatness of Hashem.
This midda is called “Ki chol Bashamayim U’vaaretz” – which Chazzal categorize and define as “Da Achid shamayim Va’artez” – Hashem connects Heaven & Earth”.
The truth of the matter is, herein lies an incredible testimonial to the greatness of Hashem and indeed, a calling to all of us.
In our lives, we know that there exists spirituality and physicality. There are the lofty pursuits on one side and the mundane on the other. We recognize that we are a combination of intellect and soul, (but) housed in a physical body with its own set of desires and limitations.
We sometimes draw the conclusion that these facets of our being are completely independent from each other. We think that only when we are in the Shul or Beis Medrash, can we tap into the spiritual wellsprings of our being. However, when we are at the workplace, on the street, or even while we are engaged in eating, we tend to see this as the pursuits related to, and restricted by our physicality.
This type of thinking is a big fallacy.
David Hamelech’s praise of Hashem in this Psalm, recognizes the fact that Hashem unites Heaven and Earth and has provided us with this template, to illustrate that this is in fact our task on this World!
On Shavuos, Hashem gave us his greatest gift of all; his Holy Torah! Hakadosh Baruch Hu himself ‘plays’ with (“Mishtasheia”) and ‘learns’ from his precious Torah. Indeed, there is no greater manifestation of the sublime, than G-d’s Holy Torah which is the blueprint for all of creation!
..and yet, Hashem gave this Heavenly gift to us Humans with all of our physical trappings and limitations. Hashem then tasked us with the responsibility to learn Torah and to physically perform Mitzvos, thereby connecting Heaven and Earth.
Our Mitzvos are seemingly Earthly; we create Tzitzis from wool and Tefilin from leather straps. We shake a Lulav and make a Bracha over an Esrog. We blow a Shofar etc. etc. Yet, when we make a Bracha over the performance of these Mitzvos, we say “Asher Kideshanu B’mitzvosav” – You (Hashem) make us Holy through the performance of (these) your positive commandments!
Indeed, this is the message for us to internalize. We must realize that Hashem wants us to emulate his ways by connecting Heaven & Earth and in so doing, to achieve the greatness and purpose of our existence!
If Hashem wanted to be strictly worshiped by Angels, he wouldn’t have created Human beings with all of our physical flaws, desires and limitations.
Instead, Hashem fused us with the sublime (our Holy Neshamos – our Chelek Elokai M’ma’al) and the mundane (our physical bodies with all of its desires etc.) and placed us in this test riddled place called Earth.
He instructs us to take our souls which desires nothing more than to forge a heavenly connection (D’veykus) and to cleave to the Rebono Shel Olam – and to merge it with our bodies in the performance of mitzvos and service to Hashem.
There is no contradiction between Shamayim and Aretz in the service of Hashem. In fact, the most ideal way to serve Borei Olam, is by infusing the mundane with the spirit of the sublime and Holiness.
This, then, is why we are here in the first place, to connect Heaven and Earth through learning Torah and performing Mitzvos in every situation and wherever we find ourselves.
<Heard From HaRav Shimshon Pincus Z”L>
