The Mystery of the Pasuk from the Prayer “Vayevarech David”

“U-tzeva ha-Shamayim lekha mishtahavim”

In Shacharit, in the section of the prayer “Vayevarech David,” before reciting the pasuk that constitutes the Holy Name of Hashem, when we perform a “shiluv Shemot” (uniting the Names of Hashem), we read a phrase from Nehemiah (9:6)   וצבא השמים לך משתחוים - “U-tzeva ha-Shamayim lekha mishtahavim” - (and the heavenly host bows before You). Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (zekhuto yagen aleinu) teaches that when we recite the phrase “u-tzeva ha-Shamayim lekha mishtahavim” in “Vayevarech David” during Shacharit, this is the most appropriate time to add a personal prayer. One should bow and have the following kavanah. According to Kitzur Likutei Moharan (I, 231): “[At this moment] one may pray for anything, because at this time all the angels bow and prostrate themselves before G-d, blessed be He. Therefore, it is good to ask that the L-rd command them to do what you are requesting; and if you need healing, you should have the kavanah that the L-rd command [the angels] to invest the bread and water with spiritual healing forces, and so on. If you need parnasah, ask for success in earning a livelihood and abundance, and so on.” (“Weekly Breslov Customs,” p. 62) (P.S. The artwork in the photo is by Miriam Ludmila Shulman)