December 23, 2018 · 00:03:23
Tehilim Perek 128 Hello everybody, in today’s NachDaily we’ll be continuing the Shir Hama’alos chapters with Tehilim, Chapter 128. The Malbim explains that there are essentially two parts to this chapter. The first speaks about the individual benefits a person with “yiras Shamayim, fear of God,” will receive. The second part is about the national blessings and benefits our nation will receive when we have proper yiras Shamayim. The perek tells us that those with yiras Shamayim are happy, and will enjoy the fruit of their labor. Obviously, the pleasure of earning something on your own is much greater than that of a free hand-out. Other benefits are increased marital harmony and fine children. The benefits which Am Yisrael will receive include returning to Eretz Yisrael and seeing the good fortune of Yerushalayim. Additionally, Am Yisrael will merit raising generations living in Eretz Yisrael, and ultimately our nation will be b’shalom. Verse 2 says: יְגִ֣יעַ כַּ֭פֶּיךָ כִּ֣י תֹאכֵ֑ל אַ֝שְׁרֶ֗יךָ וְט֣וֹב לָֽךְ׃ When you eat the labor of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is well with you. A well known Mishna in Pirkei Avos, perek 4 Mishna 1, asks, based on our passuk, “Eizeh hu ashir? HaSameach b’chelko, Who is considered rich? Whoever is happy with his/her lot in life. “Ashrecha b’olam hazeh v’tov lach l’olam habbah, You’ll be praise worthy in this world and it will be good for you in the next world.” We often fall into the trap of looking outside of ourselves and becomi