Questions on Ashrei

Regarding the Missing Passage of "Nun" and Possible Contradiction

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

First of all, the chapter of Tehillim (Psalms) known as Ashrei is actually not chapter 145 as is commonly believed, but rather, it’s opening verses are from Tehillim Chapters 84 and 144. Hence, the “alphabetical Ashrei” is actually begins from “Tehilla L’david, and not “Ashrei Yoshvei Veitecha.”

The Talmud in Berachot 4b teaches us that those who recite Ashrei 3 times a day are assured a place in the world to come. This is not difficult as Ashrei appears twice in the morning service every day, and it opens the Mincha service every day. Hence, there is no reason that one should lose out on this blessing.

As you correctly note, Ashrei is essentially an alphabetical Psalm, but there is no verse corresponding to the letter “nun.” The reason for this is because the letter "nun" stands for the word "nefila," which means "falling." Furthermore, the “falling” in this context refers to the falling of the Jewish people, as it says in Amos 5:2, "She [the Jewish people] has fallen (nuf'lah), no longer will the maiden of Israel stand again." Due to this connection, King David did not include a verse beginning with “nun” in this chapter.

Regarding your question on the seeming contradiction between “Potei’ach Et Yadecha U’masbia L’chol Chai Ratzon (“You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing”) and “Retzon Yerei’av Ya’ase” (He fulfills the desires of those who fear him), it is explained that the former refers to bare necessities: G-d, in his kindness, will provide the bare necessities to everyone while the latter, refers to the “extras” which only “those who fear Him” are entitled.