RR Psalm 55:18 Part 9

Rabbi’s Reflections - Wednesday, June 17, 2026 
Shalom,

Rabbi’s Note:  Jan and I arrived home on Monday afternoon after almost 3 weeks of travel in Israel.  We are thankful for the opportunity to travel within  Israel and thankful also to return home.  One highlight (out of many) was meeting Shimshon (Hebrew for Samson) who is a Torah scribe on Masada,   the mountain fortress by the Dead Sea where 1,000 Zealots withstood the siege of several Roman legions for 3 years before committing suicide the night before their capture.  There is more info here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masada_(miniseries) and on the internet, but I digress.

Shimshon wrote the opening lyrics to the song “Shomer Yisrael” by Shlomo Carlbach, z”l,  with the Hebrew date of our visit.  Here is a link to the song performed by Neshama Carlbach (Shlomo’s daughter).  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxeKudP2ru4  Enjoy! End RN.
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Psalms
Psalm 55:18(17) – Part 9

Psalm 55:18 Evening, morning and noon, I complain and moan, then He hears my voice.

How unfortunate… “complain and moan” sounds like such a “whiner” (pun intended). The Hebrew has many other possible translations for “Se’ach” (Sin-Yud-Chet) other than “complain” including “meditate” or even “pray.”  Additionally, the Hebrew word translated as “moan,” Ha’ma, (Hey-Mem-Hey) can also be interpreted as “cry aloud” or “be disturbed to the point of making an uproar.”  

All of this discomfort has a purpose.  When we focus our attention on God, He hears us.  We all know the Hebrew word for “hear” is “Shema.”  Consequently, if we know anything, we know that God hears us when we call upon Him.  Here are three examples.

Psalm 34:18(17) The righteous cry out and Adonai hears, and delivers them from all their troubles.

1John 5:14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him—that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have the requests we have asked from Him.

Jacob 5:16b …The effective prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.

This is short today.  I’m still recovering from jet lag.  Blessings my friends.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed17-Jun-20262nd of Tamuz, 5786
Nu 16:44-50[17:9-15]Jer 42-43Ezr 32 Co 5(Lk 4)