In the second to last posuk of Ashrei we say “Tehilas Hashem Yedaber Pi, ViVarech Kol Bosor shem kodsho leolom voed – My mouth shall utter the praise of Hashem and all creatures shall bless His holy name forever and ever.”

To explain the deeper pshat of this posuk, the Chida* points out the emphasis of praising Hashem with “my mouth.” Why is that so important? Why is the Halocho by davening that one must actually say the words? Wouldn’t it be enough just to think it in our brains and feel it in our hearts? To strengthen the question, the Chida points out that the greatness of Hashem would actually be expressed better that way. If someone merely thinks his tefillah and Hashem answers it, that reveals that Hashem can read our thoughts! So why not allow Tefillah to bring out that greatness?

Says the Chida, that if we would just think the praises of Hashem, no other human being would notice. It wouldn’t inspire anyone else to praise Hashem. Specifically, because we praise Hashem with our mouths “Tehillas Hashem Yedaber Pi” that causes “vevorech kol bosor shem kodsho” everyone around you will start praising Hashem as well. That is what this posuk from Ashrei is trying to convey, the importance of singing Hashem’s praises loud and clear so that the whole world will sing with you!

This week on Gimmel Tamuz is the 30th Yahrzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe ZY”A. One of the main teachings of his lifetime was that it’s not enough to connect to Hashem yourself, but you need to spread it further. Don’t hide with your Torah and Yiddishkeit in your own room rather go out into the world and spread that inspiration to others.

Let’s continue praising Hashem and connecting to Him, and make sure all those around us are doing the same. 

*Rabbi Chaim Joseph David Azulai – The Chida (circa 5484-5567; 1724-1807)

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