We open the evening prayers by proclaiming the Borchu, just as we do in the morning before beginning the Shema blessings. This practice is based on the Midrash, which states that there is a certain celestial angel which reads--during the daytime--"Emes" (truth). At night the inscription reads "Emunah" (faithfulness). This angel, says the Midrash, constantly repeats the refrain, "Blessed is Hashem, the Blessed One, forever and ever."

So we too repeat this credo in the morning and in the evening. During Mincha we omit it, for we have already proclaimed the daytime Borchu.

And it is with this proclamation that we open the evening prayers. We thereby express an important idea. True, during the "nighttime" of history Hashem does not openly demonstrate the "truthfulness" of all that he has promised us. But even then we are sent another message from heaven--that amidst the darkness of night Hashem never ceases to show His "faithfulness" to His nation. We are never really forsaken. And the signposts of Hashem's presence amongst us are visible even today, if we but take the trouble to look for them.

Copyright (c) 1997 by Rabbi Levi Langer

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