Shemoneh Esrei 13: Never Give Up!
אתה גבור לעולם ה’, מחיה מתים אתה, רב להושיע
You are eternally mighty, my Lord, the Resuscitator of the dead are You; abundantly able to serve
This brachah highlights the גבורה (might) of Hashem versus that of man. While even the mightiest and most powerful men become weaker and frailer as they grow older, Hashem’s might is eternal (לעולם – l’olam) with no weakening whatsoever [Ben Ish Chai, quoted by טללי אורות].
מחיה מתים אתה
The basic understanding here is that Hashem will revive those who are actually dead, that there is תחית המתים. Additionally, this phrase can refer to other types of reviving the “dead.” There are some types of people that Chazal consider as “dead” even though they are physically alive. One of those is one who is asleep; when Hashem returns our n’shamos each morning after we sleep, that too is a form of “תחית מתים” [Avudraham, quoted by טללי אורות].
Another person who is considered “dead” though physically alive is the “רשע” (wicked person). If a rasha returns to Hashem through t’shuvah, Hashem is מחיה מתים and brings him back to life.
רב להושיע
The Gemara in B’rachos (10a) relates the story of Y’shayah HaNavi’s visit to King Chizkiyahu when he was ill. Y’shayah related his prophecy to Chizkiyahu that he would die in both worlds (for not marrying and procreating). Clearly, Chizkiyahu was in the worst position anyone could possibly be in: He was told a n’vuah from Hashem that he would die in both worlds. Yet, he immediately turned to Hashem in t’filah and did not give up hope. The Gemara there states that King Chizkiyahu revealed a tradition that, although a sharp sword is already on one’s neck and nothing additional is needed to kill him, one should not refrain from seeking compassion from Hashem. Indeed, notwithstanding the n’vuah, his prayer was answered and he was given 15 years of additional life.
Rav Yerucham Levovitz states a great principle in life: יראה (yir’ah–fear of Hashem) and בטחון (bitachon–trust and reliance upon Hashem) must be תמיד (tamid–constant) with a person in all situations in life. Unfortunately, sometimes we tend to forget yir’ah when things are going very well, and tend to give up hope when things look very bad. Instead, we must strengthen our bitachon when things look bleak, and strengthen our yir’ah when things look great [Daas Torah – VaYikra, page 26].
Even when we have no idea how a ישועה (y’shuah–salvation) can come and how we can possibly be saved from our צרה (tzarah) or how our situation can possibly be resolved favorably, Hashem is רב להושיע. He is All-Powerful and All-Capable and He can save us regardless of the odds or statistics. Nothing stands in His way and the ישועה can come כהרף עין (k’heref ayin–like the blink of an eye). This is the bitachon and hope we must have at all times. “בטחו בה' בכל עת” (“Bitchu baShem b’chol eis– Trust/rely upon Hashem at all times” (T’hilim 62:9) [Rabbeinu Yonah – Mishlei 3:26, and Alei Shur 602-603].
For Hashem, there is no difference whatsoever between a גוסס (goses–deathbed) situation and a בריא (bari–totally healthy) situation. All of us need His limitless rachamim and chesed at all times [Or Yechezkel – Yamim Nora’im, page 147].
Hashem is constantly saving us from things we are not even aware of. Hashem is rav l’hoshia!