El Nekamot Hashem: The Cry for Divine Justice on Har HaBayit
Every Wednesday, we recite Psalm 94 — a stirring plea for God to rise in justice against the arrogant. But in our generation, surrounded by global threats and moral confusion, these ancient words feel more relevant than ever. In this article, we explore the deep meaning of "El Nekamot Hashem," the connection to Har HaBayit, and how our longing for divine justice is a vital step toward Geulah.
El Nekamot Hashem: The Cry for Justice on Har HaBayit
"אֵ-ל נְקָמוֹת ה׳, אֵ-ל נְקָמוֹת הוֹפִיעַ. הִנָּשֵׂא שׁוֹפֵט הָאָרֶץ, הָשַׁב גְּמוּל עַל גָּאִים."
“God of vengeance, Hashem; God of vengeance, appear! Rise up, Judge of the earth; repay the arrogant what they deserve.”
— Tehillim 94:1–2
Every Wednesday, Jews around the world recite these haunting, powerful words as part of the Shir Shel Yom — the daily psalm chosen by the Sages to reflect the essence of each day. And yet, how many of us pause to internalize the weight of Psalm 94?
It is not gentle. It is not comforting.
It is a cry — raw and urgent — to the God of vengeance, to appear, to rise, to respond.
In a time when the world is reeling from Iranian aggression, from the rise of open anti-Jewish hatred, and from a global silence that chills the soul, this psalm could not be more timely.
The Purpose of Divine Vengeance
"Vengeance" in modern language conjures up images of petty retribution or uncontrolled rage. But in the Torah, vengeance is not personal. It is holy. It is measured. It is justice — the kind that restores balance when the wicked mock heaven and trample the innocent.
The verse says “El Nekamot Hashem” not once, but twice — “God of vengeance, Hashem; God of vengeance, appear.” Why the repetition?
Chazal (our Sages) teach that whenever something is repeated in Tanach, it signals depth and emphasis. Here, the double invocation is a plea — from below to above — calling upon Hashem to reveal Himself through justice, not just in compassion. We ask Him to appear not only as a loving Father but as the ultimate Judge of the earth.
Because if Hashem does not rise to judge the arrogant, then who will?
The Illusion of Power and the Silence of Heaven
The psalm continues by asking why the wicked seem to succeed:
“They crush Your people, Hashem; they afflict Your heritage."
“They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the orphans.”
“And they say, ‘Hashem does not see, the God of Jacob does not understand.’”
This is the spiritual disease of our time: arrogance masked as invincibility.
Regimes threaten Israel openly. Terror groups murder without fear. And all the while, the nations of the world sit idle — or worse, blame the victim.
Where is Hashem? Why the silence?
The psalm answers: He sees. He hears. He waits.
Because Hashem’s justice is not like ours. It is precise. It is purposeful. And when He rises, it is not in anger but in righteousness.
The Role of Har HaBayit in Divine Justice
Har HaBayit — the Temple Mount — is not just a historical site. It is the place from which justice flows to the world. The Beit HaMikdash was called the “House of Judgment,” and the Sanhedrin once sat on its steps.
When we ascend Har HaBayit today — with fear of Heaven, with purity, and with longing — we are not just visiting ruins. We are returning to the source of moral clarity. We are taking part in the cry:
הִנָּשֵׂא שׁוֹפֵט הָאָרֶץ — Rise up, Judge of the earth!
By standing where the world was judged, we realign ourselves with that mission: to be vessels for holiness, justice, and redemption.
Appearing Through Us
Hashem will appear. That is a promise of the psalm.
But how will He appear?
Partially, through us.
When we choose truth over convenience.
When we ascend instead of despair.
When we cry out with prayer, with courage, and with action.
We are not calling for revenge in the human sense. We are calling for the full manifestation of God’s kingship in the world — where the arrogant are humbled, the righteous are protected, and the innocent no longer suffer in silence.
The Time Is Now
We are living in prophetic days. The threats around us are not merely political — they are spiritual.
But so are the tools of redemption.
Psalm 94 is not just a Wednesday prayer. It’s a call to arms — spiritual arms. It’s a reminder that Hashem has not abandoned us. He is watching. He is waiting.
And when the time is right — when the arrogance of evil has reached its peak — He will appear.
הוֹפִיעַ.
In Conclusion
As you say Psalm 94 this Wednesday — or any day — say it with kavana. Say it for those who cannot. Say it for the widows, the orphans, and the fighters on the front lines.
And if you can, come to Har HaBayit. Stand in the place where Hashem’s presence once shone like fire, and where it will again. Bring your cry, your hope, your yearning for justice.
Because the Judge of the earth is listening.
May we merit to see Him appear — not in anger, but in righteousness. Not in revenge, but in Geulah.