Psalm 30--Lshanah tovah!

Day 30, Psalm 30

Offered daily and on Hanukkah, this psalm is one of dedication and rededication.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Every day is a new opportunity.  Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing.  This psalms shows the double-edged sword of possibility.  Today is another day.  

How will you use it?

As we enter Rosh Hashanah, may this new year bring us all blessing!

ל׳

מִזְמ֡וֹר שִׁיר־חֲנֻכַּ֖ת הַבַּ֣יִת לְדָוִֽד׃ 

אֲרוֹמִמְךָ֣ יְ֭הֹוָה כִּ֣י דִלִּיתָ֑נִי וְלֹֽא־שִׂמַּ֖חְתָּ אֹיְבַ֣י לִֽי׃ 

יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהָ֑י שִׁוַּ֥עְתִּי אֵ֝לֶ֗יךָ וַתִּרְפָּאֵֽנִי׃ 

יְֽהֹוָ֗ה הֶעֱלִ֣יתָ מִן־שְׁא֣וֹל נַפְשִׁ֑י חִ֝יִּיתַ֗נִי (מיורדי) [מִיׇּֽרְדִי־]בֽוֹר׃ 

זַמְּר֣וּ לַיהֹוָ֣ה חֲסִידָ֑יו וְ֝הוֹד֗וּ לְזֵ֣כֶר קׇדְשֽׁוֹ׃ 

כִּ֤י רֶ֨גַע ׀ בְּאַפּוֹ֮ חַיִּ֢ים בִּרְצ֫וֹנ֥וֹ בָּ֭עֶרֶב יָלִ֥ין בֶּ֗כִי וְלַבֹּ֥קֶר רִנָּֽה׃ 

וַ֭אֲנִי אָמַ֣רְתִּי בְשַׁלְוִ֑י בַּל־אֶמּ֥וֹט לְעוֹלָֽם׃ 

יְֽהֹוָ֗ה בִּרְצוֹנְךָ֮ הֶעֱמַ֢דְתָּה לְֽהַרְרִ֫י־עֹ֥ז הִסְתַּ֥רְתָּ פָנֶ֗יךָ הָיִ֥יתִי נִבְהָֽל׃ 

אֵלֶ֣יךָ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֶקְרָ֑א וְאֶל־אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃ 

מַה־בֶּ֥צַע בְּדָמִי֮ בְּרִדְתִּ֢י אֶ֫ל־שָׁ֥חַת הֲיוֹדְךָ֥ עָפָ֑ר הֲיַגִּ֥יד אֲמִתֶּֽךָ׃ 

שְׁמַע־יְהֹוָ֥ה וְחׇנֵּ֑נִי יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה הֱֽיֵה־עֹזֵ֥ר לִֽי׃ 

הָפַ֣כְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי֮ לְמָח֢וֹל לִ֥֫י פִּתַּ֥חְתָּ שַׂקִּ֑י וַֽתְּאַזְּרֵ֥נִי שִׂמְחָֽה׃ 

לְמַ֤עַן ׀ יְזַמֶּרְךָ֣ כָ֭בוֹד וְלֹ֣א יִדֹּ֑ם יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י לְעוֹלָ֥ם אוֹדֶֽךָּ׃ {פ}

30

A Psalm; a Song at the Dedication of the House; of David. 

I will extol thee, O LORD, for Thou hast raised me up, and hast not suffered mine enemies to rejoice over me. 

O LORD my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou didst heal me; 

O LORD, Thou broughtest up my soul from the nether-world; Thou didst kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 

Sing praise unto the LORD, O ye His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. 

For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a life-time; weeping may tarry for the night, but joy cometh in the morning. 

Now I had said in my security: 'I shall never be moved.' 

Thou hadst established, O LORD, in Thy favour my mountain as a stronghold— Thou didst hide Thy face; I was affrighted. 

Unto Thee, O LORD, did I call, And unto the LORD I made supplication: 

'What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise Thee? shall it declare Thy truth? 

Hear, O LORD, and be gracious unto me; LORD, be Thou my helper.' 

Thou didst turn for me my mourning into dancing; Thou didst loose my sackcloth, and gird me with gladness; 

So that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent; O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever.

Psalm 28-Salvation

 Day 28, Psalm 28

Psalm 28 shares a feeling of confidence and possibility.  The last line of this psalm is often sung in services and other liturgical spaces. It demands God’s presence and calls for protection for the Jewish people.  This psalm demands salvation.  

What would a world of salvation look like?  How can we help build that world here?

Psalm 27-Faith journeys

 

Day 27, Psalm 27

Since the start of Elul we have read this psalm each day. It is a journey of faith, of fear and ultimately of hope.  There is an entire saga of emotion and life in this psalm. It truly reflects our lives and the fears and opportunities we may find. We desire to feel the presence of something greater than ourselves. 

Be strong, and let thy heart take courage! What would your life look like with less fear?

27

[A Psalm] of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? 

When evil-doers came upon me to eat up my flesh, Even mine adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell. 

Though a host should encamp against me, My heart shall not fear; Though war should rise up against me, Even then will I be confident. 

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the graciousness of the LORD, and to visit early in His temple. 

For He concealeth me in His pavilion in the day of evil; He hideth me in the covert of His tent; He lifteth me up upon a rock. . 

And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; And I will offer in His tabernacle sacrifices with trumpet-sound; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. 

Hear, O LORD, when I call with my voice, And be gracious unto me, and answer me. 

In Thy behalf my heart hath said: ‘Seek ye My face'; Thy face, LORD, will I seek. 

Hide not Thy face far from me; Put not Thy servant away in anger; Thou hast been my help; Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. 

For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, The LORD will take me up. 

Teach me Thy way, O LORD; And lead me in an even path, Because of them that lie in wait for me. 

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries; For false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out violence. 

If I had not believed to look upon the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living!— 

Wait on the LORD; Be strong, and let thy heart take courage; Yea, wait thou for the LORD.

כ״ז

לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי מִמִּ֣י אִירָ֑א יְהֹוָ֥ה מָעוֹז־חַ֝יַּ֗י מִמִּ֥י אֶפְחָֽד׃ 

בִּקְרֹ֤ב עָלַ֨י ׀ מְרֵעִים֮ לֶאֱכֹ֢ל אֶת־בְּשָׂ֫רִ֥י צָרַ֣י וְאֹיְבַ֣י לִ֑י הֵ֖מָּה כָשְׁל֣וּ וְנָפָֽלוּ׃ 

אִם־תַּחֲנֶ֬ה עָלַ֨י ׀ מַחֲנֶה֮ לֹא־יִירָ֢א לִ֫בִּ֥י אִם־תָּק֣וּם עָ֭לַי מִלְחָמָ֑ה בְּ֝זֹ֗את אֲנִ֣י בוֹטֵֽחַ׃ 

אַחַ֤ת ׀ שָׁאַ֣לְתִּי מֵאֵת־יְהֹוָה֮ אוֹתָ֢הּ אֲבַ֫קֵּ֥שׁ שִׁבְתִּ֣י בְּבֵית־יְ֭הֹוָה כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י חַיַּ֑י לַחֲז֥וֹת בְּנֹעַם־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה וּלְבַקֵּ֥ר בְּהֵֽיכָלֽוֹ׃ 

כִּ֤י יִצְפְּנֵ֨נִי ׀ בְּסֻכֹּה֮ בְּי֢וֹם רָ֫עָ֥ה יַ֭סְתִּרֵנִי בְּסֵ֣תֶר אׇהֳל֑וֹ בְּ֝צ֗וּר יְרוֹמְמֵֽנִי׃ 

וְעַתָּ֨ה יָר֪וּם רֹאשִׁ֡י עַ֤ל אֹיְבַ֬י סְֽבִיבוֹתַ֗י וְאֶזְבְּחָ֣ה בְ֭אׇהֳלוֹ זִבְחֵ֣י תְרוּעָ֑ה אָשִׁ֥ירָה וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃ 

שְׁמַע־יְהֹוָ֖ה קוֹלִ֥י אֶקְרָ֗א וְחׇנֵּ֥נִי וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ 

לְךָ֤ ׀ אָמַ֣ר לִ֭בִּי בַּקְּשׁ֣וּ פָנָ֑י אֶת־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֲבַקֵּֽשׁ׃ 

אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֬ר פָּנֶ֨יךָ ׀ מִמֶּנִּי֮ אַ֥ל תַּט־בְּאַ֗ף עַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ עֶזְרָתִ֥י הָיִ֑יתָ אַֽל־תִּטְּשֵׁ֥נִי וְאַל־תַּ֝עַזְבֵ֗נִי אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׁעִֽי׃ 

כִּֽי־אָבִ֣י וְאִמִּ֣י עֲזָב֑וּנִי וַֽיהֹוָ֣ה יַאַסְפֵֽנִי׃ 

ה֤וֹרֵ֥נִי יְהֹוָ֗ה דַּ֫רְכֶּ֥ךָ וּ֭נְחֵנִי בְּאֹ֣רַח מִישׁ֑וֹר לְ֝מַ֗עַן שֽׁוֹרְרָֽי׃ 

אַֽל־תִּ֭תְּנֵנִי בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ צָרָ֑י כִּ֥י קָמוּ־בִ֥י עֵדֵי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר וִיפֵ֥חַ חָמָֽס׃ 

לׅׄוּׅׄלֵׅ֗ׄאׅׄ הֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּי לִרְא֥וֹת בְּֽטוּב־יְהֹוָ֗ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ חַיִּֽים׃ 

קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־יְ֫הֹוָ֥ה חֲ֭זַק וְיַאֲמֵ֣ץ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝קַוֵּ֗ה אֶל־יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}

27

Psalm 7: Song and Judgement

 More song—leading to big questions.

Do we need speedier judgement in this world? This psalm calls for justice and the end of wickedness. Personal and communal needs for defense are interspersed. Triumph and praise conclude the prayer.

Can we find gratitude and song when we are afraid? We can reassure ourselves that hope and redemption are always possible.

Where do we see the possibilities of change?

Elul 26--Tell me about the world to come

There is a beautiful story told of the world to come by Rabbi Chaim of Romshishok.  There are variants in many other faith traditions, too.  His vision speaks of heaven and hell, not something we often speak of in the Jewish tradition.  Either way, both places initially look the same.  There is a tremendous table overflowing with delicious foods of all sorts, foods that are the favorites of the people at the table.  They can smell them, look at them, but the individuals have one challenge.  Their arms are locked at the elbows so they are incapable of feeding themselves.  In the hell vision, the people are starving looking at the food, tortured by what they cannot ever access.  In the vision of heaven, the people use long spoons/utensils and feed each other.  They do not go hungry and are enjoying the feast as they care for one another.

While that vision may not be for everyone, I do believe that this world can feel like heaven or hell depending on how we treat others.  When we are compassionate; when we look out for one another; when we lift each other up; this world can feel heavenly.  When we are looking at everyone suspiciously, with hatred and increasing strife; this world can feel hellish.  

I know which world I'd like to live in.  Which world would you like to live in?

I don't think we need to wait for the world to come to find a taste of heaven.  I pray this Shabbat is one for you!

 https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyVnUjjhK1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Elul 22

We have free choice.  What does that look like for you?

Rambam 7:1 (https://www.sefaria.org/Mishneh_Torah%2C_Repentance.7.1?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en)

הוֹאִיל וּרְשׁוּת כָּל אָדָם נְתוּנָה לוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁבֵּאַרְנוּ יִשְׁתַּדֵּל אָדָם לַעֲשׂוֹת תְּשׁוּבָה וּלְהִתְוַדּוֹת בְּפִיו מֵחֲטָאָיו וְלִנְעֹר כַּפָּיו מֵחֲטָאָיו כְּדֵי שֶׁיָּמוּת וְהוּא בַּעַל תְּשׁוּבָה וְיִזְכֶּה לְחַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא:

Since free choice is granted to all men as explained, a person should always strive to do Teshuvah and to confess verbally for his sins, striving to cleanse his hands from sin in order that he may die as a Baal-Teshuvah and merit the life of the world to come.

Teshuvah is not a one day process.  We have to always remember that there is work to do.

At the same time, this does not have to be miserable.  This can actually be joyful.  We can find blessing in this process.  As we work on ourselves, we can find hope and possibility.  Our capacity for growth is endless.  

Elul for Rabbis--the power of words

What does Elul mean to you?  For many Jews, it may escape notice.  Yet for a rabbi, as that first shofar sounds, she/he knows that our most stressful time of year has begun.  As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel teaches, since palaces in space have been destroyed so often, Jews build "palaces in time": Shabbat, festivals, holy moments.  In order to enjoy, to grow, to live through these moments we need thorough preparation.

For Shabbat, we prepare meals in advance, invite friends and family over, make our reading list and ensure we can get to shul (when we so desire).  For Rosh Hashanah, we do the same, but we also need some spiritual preparation.  We have to do research into our personal histories AND our people's histories.  We have to look back at our choices in the past year and consider how they reflect on us.  How would we do things differently?  What can we do differently next year?

Preparation for the holidays includes evaluation of our lives--it includes evaluation of our speech, of our words.  Are we using our words effectively?  In a crowded media environment, does our communication add positivity or spread hurt?  Do we help or hurt?

For congregational rabbis, this time of year is focused on the power of words.  In this world we may wonder what that power is.  Does a single sermon have a major influence on a congregation in the 21st century?  While I cannot speak for the power of the sermon, the power of words is indisputable.  Words are part of the fabric of our universe.  Words brought this universe into being and words will bring it to its end.  Human words determine the course of world events.  Words determine the course of every relationship--for better and for worse.

Will my sermons change the lives of everyone in my congregation?  I have no such expectation.  What I do expect is that some of my words will resonate with many people and many of my words will resonate with some people.  I pray that they will reach deep into the soul and inspire a life of kedushah, of holiness.  I know it is possible.

Ultimate St Pete: Sitting in a coffee shop/bike store writing while drinking iced tea in a cup with no straw

What inspires us?

What are the little things that inspire us?

I have a dear friend that loves pineapples.  She is building a real estate business and uses them as a sign of welcoming, a sign of home and kindness.  Wherever we go, we notice pineapples and send her photos of them.  Without knowing her, I doubt I would give a second glance at a pineapple, but because of that relationship, I see them everywhere.  

It is the same thing with cars.  Before you get a car, how often do you notice a particular make or model?  Likely, not often.  However, if you purchase a vehicle, you will suddenly see it everywhere.  you may find a desire to be collegial with similar cars on the road.  You have suddenly found common ground.

As Jews, we do the same thing with mezuzot, menorahs, Jewish stars and other identifiable symbols.  We see the symbol and find a connection.  We have something to talk about.  We can play "Jewish geography and maybe even find a hidden link."

When we come home, how often do we notice the mezuzah on our own homes?  Do you kiss it as you enter the house?  Do you think of the Shema?

If you do, you may find that that tiny change will lead to bigger ones.  When we see the presence of God in our symbols, we find ourselves thinking of our connection to the Holy One more often.  If we think of God, we think about our blessings, the good fortune in our lives!  

There is great power in small things.  There is great power in small successes.  There is great power in seeing what is right in front of us!

Tisha B'Av

It may seem strange to begin a site about joy with the most depressing and difficult day on the Jewish calendar, yet it is the most logical place to start!

In order to reach our highest heights, we must be aware of our lowest lows.  Judaism is lived in community.  It is a not a faith that wants us to "bowl alone."  Remembering who we are in our darkest moments helps us build the community.  Being with people in their worst builds the bonds that sustain us in times of joy.

After a day of fasting, prayer, and reading by candlelight, the following Shabbat is Parshat Nachamu.  There we SING words of consolation.  There we hear of the Shema and of the Aseret Hadibrot, the Ten Commandments.  There we learn of the power of love and connection.  There we become a people.  

Once we receive Torah; once we know we are loved; once we can live meaningful lives together--joy will follow.  

This site will be about finding more joy and less oy--but today, we start with a little bit of both!