#757: Tachanun - Shomer Yisrael (Part 4)

We last left off with this question, the two Shomer Yisraels.

The first, Shomer Yisrael shmirshas Yisrael.

Hashem, you're the protector of the Jewish people, protect the remnant of the Jewish people, that the Jewish people, al yovad Yisrael, don't let us be lost.

Ha-omrim, those who say Shema Yisrael.

So that seems to reflect we're calling upon Hashem, we're invoking those who recite Shema.

The second, Shomer goyech hashmirshas hamechad ha'meyached im sh'mech Hashem Elokeinu Hashem echad, which seems to be the same thing, a continuation of Shema.

So last night, we offered two answers.

One, the first, was the reason we're saying Shomer Yisrael, we are describing Hashem as the one who protects Yisrael.

Ha-omrim Shema Yisrael, listen, Yisrael.

Not Avraham and not Yitzchak, but Yisrael.

And as we spoke last night, Yaakov Avinu had a concern among his sons.

If his grandfather produced a Yishmael, his father produced an Esav, maybe among his children, there is somebody who is not fully embracing the path.

And that's when his son said Shema out loud in order to demonstrate, "No, we're united, we're unified, and we are entirely in line with you in the recognition of HaKadosh Baruch Hu, Shema Yisrael." So we invoke Yisrael.

They said Shema Yisrael.

They were talking to their father, Yisrael.

Shema, listen, Yisrael, our father.

And when we sh- say Shema Yisrael, we are affirming that we're united, we're unified, and that we have the proper beliefs.

Then we quoted Rabbi Yehuda Leib Hasman, the Or Yechezkel, who says that when a person says Shema Yisrael, they're saying it out loud, they're saying it to others, and that essentially the first Shema Yisrael, we're invoking Hashem, protect us, take care of us, secure us in the merit of Ha-omrim Shema Yisrael, in the merit of those who not only learn and grow for themselves, but they say out loud to all those around them, Shema Yisrael.

They're talking to the Jewish people, talking to their friends and neighbors, trying to inspire and motivate, and not only live for themselves, but elevate everyone.

And it's in that merit, Ha-omrim Shema Yisrael, as opposed to the next one, ha'meyached im sh'mech.

That is really speaking to the essence of the theme.