Question:
The Pasuk corresponding to my name, Yosef, is “ה’ יגמר בעדי ה’ חסדך לעולם מעשי ידיך אל־תרף”. I say this Pasuk three times every day in the Amidah, but am not sure what it means. Can the Rav please translate and elaborate on this Pasuk for me?
Also, what is the significance of saying a Pasuk that corresponds to your name, and why do we insert it in the Amidah?
Answer:
The translation of the pasuk is “May H-shem complete (his kindness) for me, H-shem you kindness is eternal on the work of your hands, therefore do not forsake (us)”, There are two parts the pasuk, one is thanking H-shem for His past kindness, and a prayer that He continue to have kindness on us. The idea of saying these pesukim is based on a kabalistic idea that it is actual possible that a person can forget his name when he gets to the next world, and by saying these pesukim it helps that he shouldn’t forget it. R’ Volbe zt”l explained this concept, that it’s deeper meaning is that everyone has certain potential, and that potential is alluded to in the persons name. When a person gets to the next world he will be asked if he used out his potential properly and fully, and unfortunately many people will have to answer that they don’t know their “name” meaning they didn’t know what their inner strengths and potential was.
The idea is that these pesukim should be said every day, I don’t know why it is specifically inserted at the end of Shemona Esrei.
Best wishes
Sources:
Piskei Teshuvos 123-4.
