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KING, HELPER and RESCUER and SHIELD

 

 

KING, HELPER and RESCUER and SHIELD

MELEKH, OZER, uMOSHIAH uMAGEN

 

From Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan zt’l's book: Jewish Meditation

Chapter: “Relating to God”

Pages 117-118

[Presented with slight edits by El-Ad Eliovson]

 

The first paragraph in the Amidah concludes with four words that are designated to bring the worshiper closer to God. These words are "King Helper, Rescuer, and Shield " Whereas in the first part of this paragraph we relate to God in a general manner, here we develop our personal relationship with Him.

 

These four words are the key to the entire Amidah. If one says them correctly, one is left in a perfect spiritual space for the rest of the service. Even if one has said the first parts of this paragraph without proper concentration, if these four words are said properly, they will bring the worshiper to such a closeness to God that the rest of the Amidah will be perfect!! [Even] if one cannot say entire first paragraph at the rate of seven seconds per word, [as mentioned earlier in the chapter,] one should at least do so for these four words.  [Spend at least seven seconds “resting” on each of these four words as you say each one, meditating on their meaning as described below.]

 

Let us look at these four words in detail.

 

The first word is "King" (Melekh), We begin by looking at God as our king and at our relationship to Him as that of a subject to a king. A king is far away, in his capital city, in his palace. If you want something from the king you must send him a formal request, and it goes through his staff, his ministers, his secretary. Then, if you are lucky, after a few months you may get a reply. Therefore, when we address God as King, we see Him as majestic but distant. Help is available from him, but not closely available.

 

In the next word, we address God as "Helper" (Ozer). Now we see him as much closer than a king. A "helper" is someone whom we can readily approach. [A helper is someone who you ask for help and they say, "Yes!"]  S/he is a friend whom we know we can always call on and who always will make themself available. Therefore, when we call God "Helper”, we realize that we can call on Him at any time and He will be there for us. This is a relationship much closer than that to a king. In saying this word, we are beginning the process through which we draw closer to God. 

 

Third, we address God as "Rescuer" (Moshiah). Again, a rescuer is much closer than a helper, A rescuer is someone who is able to save you when you are drowning in a river: s/he is right there to jump in and pull you out. A helper may have the best intentions in the world, but if s/he is not close to you at all times, s/he cannot save you when you are in danger. Therefore, when speak to God as "Rescuer," we see Him as being available whenever we need Him, ready to rescue us in an instant. We recognize that God is always close enough to help us, even when we are in imminent danger. Thus, the relationship of Rescuer is much closer than that of Helper. This word brings us yet a step closer to God.

 

Finally, we speak to God as our "Shield" (Magen). A shield is even closer than a Rescuer. A Shield can help even when an arrow is flying at me and there is nothing else that can stop it. When the arrow is flying, there is no time for even the Rescuer to intercept it. The Shield must be there in place -- right in front of me. Thus, when I address God as my "Shield," I can feel Him right in front of me. God is all around me, surrounding me like a suit of [Teflon coated] Divine Armor. I am totally aware of God's protective power, surrounding me on all sides. I feel that I am being protected by God, so that nothing in the world can harm me.

 

Thus, in the four words "King, Helper, Rescuer, and Shield," we become more and more aware of God's closeness. First we see Him as a benevolent but distant king, then as a willing helper, then as a nearby rescuer, and finally, an immanent shield. In these four words, we make the transition from viewing God as a remote transcendental force to seeing Him as a protector who is closer than the air around us.

 

The one person who reached the level where he could constantly see God as his shield was Abraham. God had told him, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you" (Gen. 15:1).  From that time on, Abraham had a constant perception of God as his shield. He was always aware of God being very close to him, surrounding him and protecting him on a most immanent and direct level.

 

It is for this reason that the first paragraph ends with the blessing "Blessed are You, A-donoy, Shield of Abraham." 

By: El-Ad Eliovson

 

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