Baruch Hashem, more than a thousand people have already joined the 40-day commitment bli neder to say Yehei Shmei Rabbah with greater kavanah. What’s especially moving is that many women, who are not usually in shul to answer amein, took the initiative to inspire their children, grandchildren, husbands, or anyone they could influence, to join this movement. It is truly exciting to see and hear the effect this campaign is having on people.
My initial purpose was simple: to create a shift in our kavanah in davening. The natural starting point seemed to be this powerful prayer and praise, Yehei Shmei Rabbah. Over the past few weeks, I have tried to focus on the straightforward translation of the words of Kaddish, and in the process, I discovered just how powerful the entire Kaddish is and where it is meant to lead us.
In my preparation, I found a fascinating Maharal in Nesivos Olam. He explains that the eight praises beginning with “Yisbarach” each represent another level of elevation, step by step, as we rise beyond this physical world until we can transcend all limitations. This mirrors the very theme of Kaddish, which points us toward the ultimate goal of creation—the establishment of Hashem’s kingdom in this world.
Of course, something this powerful and transformational will always be resisted by the yetzer hara. How do we fight back? The Tosher Rebbe, in his sefer Avodas Avodah on this week’s parsha (Ki Seitzei), offers a beautiful insight. The Torah says: “Ki seitzei lamilchama al oyvecha”—“When you go out to war against your enemy.” Notice, it is written in the singular. Why? Because there are always two battles: one as a nation and one as an individual. Here, the Torah teaches that when we confront the ultimate enemy, the yetzer hara, the first step is simply to go out to war. Decide that you want to fight. Once you take that first step, Chazal promise: “Haba l’taher mesayin lo,” one who comes to purify himself is given Heavenly assistance.
Changing our davening is also a battle, and it happens one step at a time. But it requires that critical first step.
May we merit to elevate our tefillah, to rise beyond the boundaries of this world, and to usher in the geulah, bimheira v’yameinu, amein.
RABBI DANIEL COREN
