Three “Ma” Words in Tehillim—Who Asks Whom for What

Three “Ma” Words in Tehillim, or Who Asked Whom for What

Commenting on a pasuk from Parshat Eikev: “And now, Israel, what does the L-rd, your G-d, ask of you?” — “Ma Hashem Elokecha sho’el me’imach” — (what does the L-rd, your G-d, ask of you) (Devarim 10:12), the Sadigura Rebbe—Rabbi Avraham Yaakov Friedman—cited three verses from the Book of Tehillim containing the word “ma” to his chassidim: — “Ma adir Shimcha v’chol ha’aretz…” — (How majestic is Your Name throughout the earth!); (Tehillim 8:10) — “Ma enosh ki tizkerenu…” — (What is man that You should remember him?); (Tehillim 8:5) — “Ma rav tuvcha asher tzafanta lire’echa…” — (How abundant is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You!); (Tehillim 31:20) What is the connection between all these phrases? The Sadigura Rebbe offered the following mashal (parable). “A king was hunting in the forest. At one point, he needed matches. The king’s attendants were unable to find any for a long time, and the king, angered by such a routine delay, announced that he would give a generous reward to whoever had matches. Finally, a simple huntsman from his retinue found a crumpled box containing several matches in his pocket. But, to everyone’s astonishment, he categorically refused to part with the matches and give them to the king.” “What monstrous stupidity!” the Rebbe concluded. “It is hard to believe that anyone in his right mind would behave this way. Four factors must be taken into account in this story: who asked, whom he asked, and what he asked for, and what reward was promised for the service. These are precisely the factors indicated by the verses from the Tanakh. — The first verse, “Ma adir”, points to the greatness of the One who asks; — the second verse, “Ma enosh”, points to the insignificance of those from whom He asks; — the third verse, “Ma rav tuvcha”, points to the immeasurable reward promised to us for fulfilling our part of the covenant; and finally, — the fourth verse, “Ma Hashem Elokecha sho’el me’imach”, emphasizes how relatively small and accessible is what He asks of us—to observe His mitzvot and live according to the Torah.” (Based on Rabbi Nachum Purер)