Tehillim · Psalms explained

What is the Ashrei, and why is it said three times a day?

What the Ashrei is

The Ashrei is Psalm 145, one of the treasures of the siddur (prayer book). It takes its name from its opening word, אַשְׁרֵי — happy, or fortunate — and it is introduced by two verses drawn from other psalms before Psalm 145 itself begins. The psalm is an alphabetical hymn: nearly every verse opens with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet, a praise of Hashem built from beginning to end.

The Talmud in Berachot 4b

The Talmud, in Berachot 4b, makes a striking promise: whoever says the Ashrei three times each day is assured a share in the world to come. The Sages point to one verse as the reason — פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת־יָדֶךָ, You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing — because in it we acknowledge that all sustenance flows from the hand of Heaven. This is why the Ashrei was set three times into the day's prayers.

What to do

The Ashrei is already woven into the siddur — twice in the morning service and once in the afternoon, the three times the Talmud speaks of. Say it without rushing, and give a moment's attention to פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת־יָדֶךָ, the verse the Sages singled out. Following the order of your own siddur, you will already be keeping this practice.

Source: Talmud, Berachot 4b; Psalm 145.