Tehillim 145 – The Secret of the “Ashrei Yoshvei” Prayer

The Secret of the “Ashrei Yoshvei” Prayer

After the tragedy on Meron, on Lag BaOmer, a young boy who had perished, Moshe ben Malka Frida, appeared in a dream to his brother and asked him to recite the prayer from Shacharit three times a day on his behalf—“Ashrei yoshvei veitekha...”—and to spread awareness among the Jewish people of the importance of reciting it. It is known that Chazal promise those who recite it three times a day that they will merit Olam HaBa. But it was interesting to learn what the secret of this prayer is and why additional pesukim from the same book of Tehillim are joined to Psalm 145. Baruch Hashem, the answer was found. Psalm 145 is the only psalm in the entire book of Tehillim that begins with the word “Tehillah.” This psalm contains exactly 638 letters, corresponding to the combined gematria of the names “Avraham”—248, “Yitzchak”—208, and “Yaakov”—182. In the morning prayer, Shacharit, and in the afternoon prayer, Mincha, we add two additional verses to this psalm from Tehillim (84:5): – “Ashrei yoshvei veitekha od yehalelukha selah” and Tehillim (144:14): – “Ashrei ha’am shekakhah lo, ashrei ha’am she-Hashem Elohai.” Together, these two verses contain 14 words, corresponding to the name דוד—David, whose gematria is 14. Moreover, the number 14 also assumes special significance within Psalm 145 itself. It is well known that David HaMelech composed Psalm 145 according to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, omitting the verse beginning with the letter “nun.” David foresaw that the Temple would be destroyed precisely in the 50th generation from Adam; the gematria of “nun” is 50. The letter “nun” also symbolizes falling—נפילה “nef ilah”. David hints that Israel’s fall is only temporary and opens the 14th verse with the words “Somekh Hashem lekhol hanoflim” (G-d supports all who have fallen). Hashem supports them... Together, the introductory verses and Psalm 145 correspond to the three Patriarchs—Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov—and to David HaMelech, who themselves serve as support and foundation for the Divine Chariot, its four legs. This elevates the prayer “Ashrei yoshvei veitekha” to a very lofty level. Moreover, in Tehillim 84, verse 5 also begins with the words “Ashrei yoshvei veitekha.” Chazal draw our attention to the fact that these three words contain 13 letters, corresponding to the 13 Sha'arei Rachamim (Gates of Mercy). The words of Chazal are now clear: whoever recites “Ashrei yoshvei” three times a day is assured of “Olam HaBa” (the World to Come). (Prepared by the site's editorial staff based on the book “Tehillim – The Book of Psalms,” edited by Rabbi Yosef Marcus, Koren – New York)