זכר חסדו ואמונתו לבית ישראל Zochar chasdo ve’emunaso l’beis Yisrael
He recalled His kindness and faithful pledge to the House of Yisrael.
The Chida (Chomas Anach) interprets Chasdo as referring to Hashem’s Attribute of Rachamim, Divine Compassion, and Emunaso, to the pledge He made and conveyed via His Neviim, Prophets. He quotes Arizal and Tashbetz who explain that the word Yisrael alludes to the Avos and Imahos, Patriarchs and Matriarchs: Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel and Leah. The name Yisrael, which is formed by these letters, is Yaakov Avinu’s spiritual role in this world. We, his descendants, have the responsibility of propagating these attributes. Thus, we avail ourselves of the opportunity for Hashem to apply their merit for our deliverance. Carrying the name Yisrael is a noble responsibility, and it should weigh heavily on every one who merits to be part of Am Hashem. One cannot, however, have his cake and eat it, too. We must act like Yisrael, descendants of the Avos and Imahos, if we are to benefit from their merit.
