Every year in honor of the Rebbe’s birthday, Rabbi Butman would dedicate this article to the new chapter of Psalms being recited in connection to the Rebbe’s birthday.
On the 11th of Nissan, which falls out this year on April 9, we begin reciting the 124th chapter of Psalms in honor of the Rebbe’s 123rd birthday. In keeping with that tradition, in addition to messages from the archives we will include in this article insights on chapter 124 in the book of Psalms.
The Psalm begins, “A song of ascents. Of David. Had it not been for the Lord Who was with us, let Israel declare now.” David declares that had not the Al-mighty saved the people the people would not have been able to sustain themselves in face of all the challenges of those who sought to destroy them.
In the following verses, he goes on to compare the hatred of the enemies of the Jewish people to a relentless wave and our escape to that of a bird who narrowly escapes the trap of the hunters.
The third verse states, “Then they would have swallowed us raw when their anger was kindled against us.” comparing our enemies to people who are so hungry that they do not want to wait until the food is fully cooked, rather the enemies would swallow them alive.
King David concludes in verse number eight by saying, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth”. The commentary known as the Metzudas Dovid explains that the meaning of this verse is that our help comes when we mention the name of Hashem, Who made heaven and earth, emphasizing that our salvation does not come through our own strength.
As we prepare for the Passover seder, the Rebbe notes that the custom of Elijah’s cup is not mentioned in the Talmud or in any of the earlier texts regarding Jewish law. Its earliest source is in the writings of the sixteenth century. This is attributed to the fact that pouring a cup for Elijah is an expression of our faith in the coming of Moshiach, and with each passing year the feeling of anticipation grows stronger and more widespread.
We conclude the seder with the words, “Next year in Jerusalem,” expressing our hope for the revelation of Moshiach and the Redemption.
In Memory of Rabbi Shmuel M. Butman, Director of the Lubavitch Youth Organization and Founder of the L'chaim Publication.
