The Ashrei: All Everything, Everyone, Every Way, All the Time
The Ashrei is an absolutely fascinating prayer for many reasons.
Here’s one: In a mere 26 verses, the word “kol”, meaning “all” or “every,” appears 17 times. We should note that such repetition is more common, and more stylistically acceptable, in classic Hebrew writing than it is in English. But this is not simply about style. The staccato repetition of “kol” carries a great deal of theological weight.
Let’s review:
Every day I will praise you (6)
G-d is good to all (13)
His mercy is on all His creations (13)
All your creatures will thank You (14)
Your kingdom is a Kingdom for all time (17)
And Your rule through all generations (17)
G-d supports all who have fallen (18)
And makes upright all who have been crushed (18)
The eyes of all look to You (19)
He satisfies every living being (20)
G-d is righteous in all His ways (21)
And gracious in all His acts (21)
G-d is near to all who call upon Him (22)
To all who call upon Him in truth (22)
G-d guards all who love Him (24)
And destroys all who are wicked (24)
All creatures praise G-d’s holy name for ever and ever (25)
Of these “alls” and “everys”, most refer to “all creatures,” but some refer to “all time,” and others to “all actions.” What are we to make of this?
First, it underscores that G-d isn’t only about Jews. It’s not even only about humans in general. It’s about the entire and incomprehensibly huge and complex universe that G-d has created.
Second, it emphasizes the unique and frankly incomprehensible consistency of G-d: “righteous in all His ways and gracious in all His acts.”
Third, it leads us to consider a time span that is also incomprehensible. After all, who can fully understand “forever and ever?”
Are we sensing a theme here?
Now, consider this: this prayer that abides in the realm of eternity begins with the word “Happy.” Yes, the world may be incomprehensible and overwhelming in its vastness, but instead of intimidation we are meant to feel…exhilaration!
No wonder the rabbis said that he who recites the Ashrei three times a day is guaranteed a place in Paradise.
Rabbi Robert L. Wolkoff