THE ART OF THE PLEDGE
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THE ART OF THE PLEDGE
The reason the there is a custom to say Vayevarech David and Az Yashir every day in prayer of Pesukei Dzimrah is because all the 15 terminologies of praise found in Yishtabach, are sourced in those two, Vayevarech and Az Yashir. שִׁיר וּשְׁבָחָה , הַלֵּל וְזִמְרָה, עֹז וּמֶמְשָׁלָה, נֶצַח, גְּדֻלָּה וּגְבוּרָה, תְּהִלָּה, וְתִפְאֶרֶת, קְדֻשָּׁה, וּמַלְכוּת בְּרָכוֹת וְהוֹדָאוֹת . (Abudraham)
What is the Vayevarech David prayer about, anyway? After David Hamelech and the Jewish People donated all that was needed for building the Beit Hamikdash: the silver, gold, copper, and iron, and all the precious stones… David Hamelech said, Baruch Atah Hashem Elokey Yisrael Avinu. Blessed are You Hashem the G-d of Yisrael our Father.
Yisrael, of course, is Yaakov Avinu. David blessed the G-d of Yaakov…Why did David mention the G-d of specifically Yaakov our Father, any more than mentioning the G-d of Avraham or Yitzhak?
The answer is, because Yaakov was the first one to make a Neder, a pledge. As it says in the passuk, at the begging of this week’s parasha, וַיִּדַּ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב נֶ֣דֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר and Yaakov vowed, saying,… If G-d will take care of me, the stone that I erected as monument will be a House of G-d. וְהָאֶ֣בֶן הַזֹּ֗את אֲשֶׁר־שַׂ֙מְתִּי֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה יִהְיֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹקים Yaakov was then, on Mt. Moriah.
When David said Vayevarech David, thanking G-d that he was to begin the building of the Temple, he was standing in that very place, that Yaakov made this vow, almost a thousand years prior! Yaakov pledged, that this place, where he put a monumental stone, will become a House of G-d. King David therefore said, Blessed are You, Hashem, G-d of Yisrael, our father Yaakov! The pledge is finally being fulfilled!
Our Rabbis ask, what does it mean, when it says, that Yaakov vowed saying? What is the extra word, “saying”?
Saying means, Yaakov taught this to his children, that when one is in aצרה , a difficult time, he should make a pledge to G-d. Whether it is Tzedaka, a good deed, some more Mitzvoth, or even better, some more Torah learning. King David said, we are building the Beth Hamikdash on Mt. Moriah, and we followed Yaakov’s command to us, to pledge tzedakah. In this way, he is ישראל אבינו! Yaakov, our father, as he taught us this behavior!
This is why we give Tzedaka when we say Vayevarech David, before our prayers. We learnt to do so, from Yaakov Avinu, that when we want to pray, we first pay. This is why we stand up during Vayevarech David. It is because, the friendly shul gabay, who is pacing around with his tzedakah box. We stand up in Vayevarech David, because we are standing up out of respect for the one who is collecting, the original standing ovation, for our beloved fundraiser!
Even if you feel you don’t have it in you to pledge, even if your short on cash, even if your spiritual battery is running low, even if you feel like you are all alone. Remember, the motto of Yaakov Avinu. Pray now, pay later… as long as you pledge before your pray. Just make sure you don’t overextend yourself. You don’t want to play with G-d, and not keep your pledges.
Focus on what you can commit to, not what’s out of your control. A little pledge of time, effort, or money can make all the difference. Set realistic goals, small and meaningful steps. Not overwhelming yourself with grandiose promises. Even a promise of thanks, of saying Mimzor LaTodah or Nishmat Kol Chai, can be more than enough!
If you are in pain, and you don’t pray for your pain, it is a sin. If your friend is in pain, and you don’t pray for your friend, it is also a sin. Prayer for your pain, is the ultimate prayer, a mitzvah from the Torah.
Chana was deeply troubled by her childlessness. Each year, during their pilgrimage to the Mishkan in Shiloh, Chana would pray fervently to Hashem for a child. When Chana wanted a son, she did not just pray. She made a pledge. In her heartfelt prayer, Chana made a vow:
“וְהִיא מָרַת נָפֶשׁ, וַתִּתְפַּלֵּל עַל-יְקוק וּבָכֹה תִבְכֶּה. וַתִּדֹּר נֶדֶר, וַתֹּאמַר: יְקוק צְבָקוֹת, אִם-רָאוֹ תִרְאֶה בָּעֳנִי אֲמָתֶךָ, וּזְכַרְתַּנִי וְלֹא-תִשְׁכַּח אֶת-אֲמָתֶךָ, וְנָתַתָּה לַאֲמָתְךָ זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים, וּנְתַתִּיו לַיקוק כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָּיו, וּמוֹרָה לֹא-יַעֲלֶה עַל-רֹאשׁוֹ.”
“Hashem, Master of Legions, if You take notice of the suffering of Your maidservant and give Your maidservant a child, I will dedicate him to Hashem all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” Hashem granted her request, and she gave birth to Shmuel. True to her vow, she brought him to the Mishkan as a young boy, dedicating him to a life of service to Hashem. Shmuel HaNavi grew to become one of the greatest prophets and leaders in Jewish history, anointing both King Shaul and King David. When we combine heartfelt prayer with genuine commitment, we can unlock incredible blessings.
We should not make pledges if we don’t have to. It is better not to pledge if you are not in a time of difficulty. But if you are in a place of difficulty, it is recommended to pledge. This is the reason why it is so important to give Tzeddakah during the days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. The scales of life are out, the books are being inscribed, for life, or otherwise. It is a time we need a salvation. So it is a time to give Tzeddakah.
Whether it’s donating, volunteering, or dedicating time to personal growth, let your pledge take your prayer to the next level. When the Gabbay goes around and gives you “the gabbay look”, you know the one — the “I-see-you’re-trying-to-avoid-eye-contact-but-I-have-all-day” look, give him respect. Your pledges are the fuel to your prayers. When you promise to Hashem, He promises back. Tzedaka is the insurance that always pays off in the end.
