The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy in Tehillim

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy in Tehillim

Tehillim 86:15 “Ve'attah Ad-nai El rachum ve-channun, erekh appayim ve-rav chesed ve-emet” — (but You, O L-rd, are a G-d of compassion and graciousness, slow to anger and abundant in kindness and truth). Tehillim 103:8 “Rachum ve-channun Ad-nai, erekh appayim ve-rav chesed” — (Compassionate and gracious is the L-rd, slow to anger and abundant in kindness). When Moshe Rabbeinu asked the Creator: “And now, if I have found favor in Your eyes, let me know Your ways” (Shemot 33:13), the Almighty answered him with a formula consisting of thirteen words: “And the L-rd passed before him and proclaimed: The L-rd, the L-rd, G-d, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in kindness and truth; He preserves kindness for thousands, forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin…” (Shemot 34:6–7) This formula is called “Shelosh Esrei Middot shel Rachamim,” through which the Heavenly system of governing the world is revealed — by means of the harmonious balance between the uninterrupted flow of Heavenly blessing — Chesed — and the structure of boundaries and limitations established at the Creation of the World — Din. One of the principal sections of Sifra deTzniuta (a chapter of the Zohar presenting the foundations of the process of Creation, which are extraordinarily difficult to understand) is structured as a commentary on “Shelosh Esrei Middot.” (Rav Eliyahu Essas) “Shelosh Esrei Middot...” is customarily recited as part of the prayers throughout the month of Elul — when the penitential prayers of Selichot are recited — as well as during the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (the Ten Days of Repentance), and on fast days. In many communities, they are recited every day except Shabbat and certain holidays. “Shelosh Esrei Middot” is recited only with a minyan. But the chapters of Tehillim may be recited daily, without being dependent on a minyan.