Perek Shira: The Song of Existence - The Song of the Springs
by Rabbi Shmuel Kraines
The springs say: “The singers and the flutists — all of my wellsprings are for You.”(Tehillim 87:7)
This song depicts the glory of the offerings in the Beit Hamikdash. Then, the Levites would sing to the music of flutes and other instruments. King David declared about this, “All my wellsprings are for You!” These compositions emerged from his heart, which he describes as an unending wellspring of new praises for the Creator.
Spring water flows upwards, out of the ground, contrary to the usual gravitational effect. So too, one’s soul yearns for its source, heavenwards. When it sings to Hashem, it connects with Him.
The more a Jew fills himself with holiness, Torah, and knowledge of Hashem, the more his soul wishes to sing. However, in the same way a spring may be blocked by earth, the soul may be blocked with the earthliness of the body, sin, or of Earth itself. The Beit Hamikdash — “the gateway to heaven” — is a holy place where there is no blockage. Moreover, it is there that one can atone for his sins and remove the barrier between himself and Hashem. Hence, it is there that it is possible for the soul to express itself uninhibitedly.
Our shuls are miniature Batei Mikdash, as they are similarly sanctified and free of earthliness. It is there that our souls find fulfillment, communing with their Maker and overflowing with His praise.
- Source: Commentary of verse from Radak
*In loving memory of Harav Zeev Shlomo ben Zecharia Leib
