Perek Shirah - Streams Say

Saturday, February 13, 2016 · Posted in ,

מַעְיָנוֹת אוֹמְרִים - Streams Say:
[Nahal Farod, Israel]

Tehillim 87:7
וְשָׁרִים כְּחֹלְלִים כָּל-מַעְיָנַי בָּךְ
vesharim kechollim kal-mayanai bach
And singers and dancers; all My fountains (thoughts) are in you (You).

Included among the excellent features of Tziyon is that it has many "singers and dancers."  For this reason, "all My thoughts" and providence "are in you" - in Tziyon.

Another interpretation says: "All My fountains" of wisdom "are in you."  All the fountains of wisdom that I draw from, are found "in you" - in Tziyon.  Similarly it says, "Therefore with joy will you draw water out of the wells of deliverance" (Yeshayahu 12:3).

In Tziyon are to be found people of many talents, among them singers and dancers.  A related reading says: Even as they dance, they compose songs.

What will both the dancers and singers chant?  They will sing, "All My fountains are in you."  They will declare that I have sealed off all My fountains to prevent their waters from spreading to the gentiles.  Everything should be only "in you."

This also alludes to, "A garden locked is my sister, O bride, a fountain locked, a spring sealed up" (Shir HaShirim 4:12).  The Jewish people have fenced themselves off from becoming assimilated among the nations.

Not only do we acclaim Tziyon, but so do the singers and musicians, and the flute players, who proclaim to everyone that G-d said, "All My" providence and directed "thoughts are in you."  As it says, "A land which HaShem your G-d cares for; the eyes of HaShem your G-d are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year" (Devarim 11:12).

The Midrash says: Said Rabbi Yehudah bar Simon in the name of Rabbi Meir:  Just as the wellspring brings forth new waters every moment, so the people of Yisrael chant songs every moment.  Thus it says, "And singers and dancers; all my fountains are in You."  The Chachamim say: Just as the men chant songs, so do the women chant songs.

A person has to check to see whether or not he is connected to HaShem. “And singers and dancers alike shall say, All my interest is in You.” (Tehillim 87:7) Divine service is attachment to G-d. 

Rashi and Radak both note that "wellsprings" (fountains) represent the outpouring of the inner dimension. Wellsprings bubble with fresh water all day and night. Yisrael, too, never ceases to praise G-d for His goodness and for giving us the privilege of serving Him. Our music is the wellspring embodied in Torah and good deeds.



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Perek Shirah - Rivers Say

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נְהָרוֹת אוֹמְרִים - Rivers Say:
Tehillim 98:8
נְהָרוֹת יִמְחֲאוּ-כָף יַחַד הָרִים יְרַנֵּנוּ
neharot yimchau-chaf yachad harim yeranenu
Let the floods (rivers) clap hands; let mountains rejoice in song together.

The Scripture refers here to the Messianic Age, of which it says, "May he have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth" (v72:8).  At that time, the sea will "roar" out of much gladness, and so will "the world, and they who dwell therein."

"Let the rivers clap hands." Those who dwell by the rivers will clap hands out of great happiness.  Similarly, the Scripture says, "They clapped their hands, and said: 'Long live the king!'" (Melachim Bet 11:12).

"Let the mountains rejoice in song together."  If until now some trees were barren and only the fruit-bearing trees rejoiced in song (cf. v96:12), at the time of the Redemption all trees will bear fruit.  Even barren trees on the "mountains" will "rejoice in song together" with other trees.

It says, "The earth is HaShem's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers" (v24:1,2).  Hence the Scripture says here, "Let the seas roar, and its fullness; the world, and they who dwell in it.  Let the rivers clap hands; let mountains rejoice in song together."  This corresponds to, "He sends forth springs into the valleys; they run between the mountains" (v104:10).

The rivers symbolize the multitudes and the mountains are their leaders.  When the people and their leaders are united in serving G-d, they justly clap their hands and sing for joy, for they serve the world and their Creator.

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Perek Shirah - Sea Says

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יַמִּים אוֹמְרִים - Sea Says:
Tehillim 93:4
מִקֹּלוֹת מַיִם רַבִּים אַדִּירִים מִשְׁבְּרֵי-יָם אַדִּיר בַּמָּרוֹם יְהוָה
mikolot mayim rabim adirim mishbereiyam adir bamarom HASHEM
Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, HaShem on high is mighty.

G-d dwells "above," beyond human perception, in a lofty realm that is higher than man's comprehension.  However, due to the "voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea," it is made known to everyone that "HaShem on high is mighty."  G-d is overwhelmingly powerful in His realm on high.

A story is told about the Roman emperor Hadrian who wanted to know the secret of the ocean.  He cast ropes into the water for three years, and then he heard an echo-voice proclaim, "Cease, Hadrian!"  He also wanted to know how the waters praise G-d.  He made glass chambers, placed hem in them, and lowered them into the ocean.  They reported hearing the ocean sing in praise, "HaShem is mighty on high."
This also alludes to the nations generally, who are likened to an immense quantity of "mighty waters."  From their roaring it becomes clear to all that You are "mighty on high," and You can annihilate them in an instant.  Yet You show forbearance and let them be.  Thus our Sages have taught: Those things, yes, those very things are His mighty acts and His wondrous deeds.

Adir BaMarom Hashem - the sea reveals the power of HaShem, whose word cannot be denied.

This is the Sea's song: "O mortal man, always remember the only True Source of power, HKB"H!"

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