Posts with the category “rabbis-reflections”

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Rabbi’s Announcement: You may be aware that I write these RRs for the next day, so as I write this it is Thursday morning, July 9th.  I’m celebrating today because it is the ann...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 57:5 My soul is in the midst of lions. I lie among those breathing fire—sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongue is a sharp sword. 6 Be exalted, O God, above the heaven...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 57:3 I will cry out to El Elyon, to God who accomplishes it for me. 4 He will send from heaven and save me. He rebukes the one trampling on me. Selah God is sending His mercy and His trut...  Read More

Shalom {{firstName}},Psalm 57:1(1) For the music director, “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. 2 Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, for in You my soul ...  Read More

Rabbi’s Reflections - Friday, July 3, 2026 (Early) Shabbat Shalom,Rabbi Trail: Welcome to the club!  That was my greeting offered by many Israelis when I was introduced to them as an “Oleh Chadash” (a...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi Trail: Let’s take a moment to assess where we are in the fulfillment of Ezekiel’s “Dry Bones” prophecy found in Ezekiel 37.  I feel like the State of Israel is connected.  It starts with ...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,The books Ruth and Esther, provide examples of the hidden hand of Adonai as He moves through circumstances. Neither record miracles, or report prophetic oracles, or provide examples of spi...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom {{firstName}},Torah Portion Pinchas Numbers 25:10-30:1(29:40)By Jeffery FreemanThis week’s Torah portion is Pinchas. Its name comes from Aaron’s grandson Pinchas, Phinehas in most Engli...  Read More

Shalom {{firstName}}, Rabbi Trail: Pro-Israel Americans are not “monsters!”  700 rabbis, including yours truly, from a spectrum of expressions of Jewish faith, including Messianic Judaism, have endors...  Read More

Rabbi’s Reflections - Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Shalom,Rabbi Trail:  This really is a “rabbi trail” (or maybe “Rabbi’s Perspective”), a break from my series on anti-Semitism.  We’ll get back to that tom...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi Rant:  “Never Again!” is a universal promise that followed the horrors of the Holocaust.  It means, never again will Jews be hunted and slaughtered without a fight.  (More on this tomorro...  Read More

Rabbi’s Reflections - Monday, June 29, 2026 Shalom,Rabbi Trail:  This may be more of a “rabbi rant” than a “rabbi trail.”  The rapid rise of anti-Semitism has had my attention, and I feel compelled to...  Read More

Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},The Unimpeded ViewBy David HarwoodI wrote a song titled On The Hill. Its chorus expressed this desire: “All I want is to bless Your holy name forever. Forever…” A friend said...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Parshah Balak gets its name from the king of Moab, who plays a significant, albeit negative part in this weeks’ reading. Numbers 22:2-3 – When Balak son of Zippor realized all that Bnei...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom {{firstName}},PsalmsPsalm 56:4,(3,) – Part 3Psalm 56:4(3) In a day when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.There are only 5 Hebrew words in verse 4, while there are 14 Engl...  Read More

Shalom, Rabbi Trail:  The last day our group was in Israel was June 5th.  We paid a visit to the Israel Museum which houses “The Shrine Of The Book.”  https://www.imj.org.il/en/wings/shrine-book  Ordi...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 56:1 For the music director: “A Silent Dove Far Away,” a Michtam of David, when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.David continues the poetry of his autobiography.  He now relates the...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 55:24 But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty, deceitful men will not live out half their days. But I—I will trust in You.Va’ani Ev’tach Bach!  So the...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi Trail: Tikkun America has concluded the Family Conference for 2026 as of Sunday at noon.  Recorded videos of the worship and teaching can be found on Facebook.  Just search Facebook for “...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,Let’s show favor to those who belong to the Lord. How? One way is by serving them through the charismata (manifestations of favor), the gifts of the Ruach ha-Kodesh.As each one has receive...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,This weeks’ Parshah is Chukat, or “Statute.”Highlights for this week’s reading are preparing and reserving ashes of a red heifer; improperly obtaining water from a rock costing Moses an...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 55:20 God will hear and humble them—yes, the One enthroned of old. Selah Nothing changes—they do not fear God.In the Bible, there is no such thing as “passive hearing.”  A...  Read More

Rabbi’s Note:  I want to write to you today about a piece of modern Israeli (and consequently, Jewish) folklore.  Since I returned from Israel, I can’t get  the song, Jerusalem of Gold, out of my head...  Read More

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...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 55:17 As for me, I will call on God, and Adonai will save me.The only subject verse for today was also the last subject verse from yesterday.  I though it needed more “unpacking” as we de...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 55:15 Together we enjoyed great fellowship. We used to walk with the throng in the House of God. 16 Let desolation come upon them, let them go down alive into Sheol—for evil is in their d...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,Rabbi’s Note:  David Harwood has noted that this is the final installment of his 81 messages on Charis/Chen.  I expect he’ll be turning these submissions into his next book, but you got it...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Torah Portion is Korach is named after the Levite Korah. He was a great grandson of Levi and a cousin of sorts to Moses and Aaron. He was a clan leader and had some significant responsi...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom {{firstName}},Rabbi’s note:  Yesterday was our one full day (between two nights) in the Galilee area of Northern Israel.  We started by driving to Chamat Gader, just east of the...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi’s note:  As you are probably aware by now, Jan and I have extended our time in Israel beyond the group ministry and travel by a week.  Yesterday, we traveled north from Jerusalem to Katzr...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi’s note:  Boom Boom!!  We woke up in Jerusalem to “boom”s this morning as the incoming missiles were intercepted.  So glad everyone is safe.  We are witnesses to the protective hand of God...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi’s note:  Quiet Quiet!!  We woke up in Jerusalem to “quiet” this Tuesday morning, the product of a revolutionary proposal.  “Let’s not shoot at each other.”  That seems to be working today...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 55:4 because of the voice of the enemy, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they thrust trouble on me, and in anger bear a grudge against me. 5 My heart shudders within me and the ...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,From the beginning of the Scriptures, we see illustrations of people appealing for favor (chen/charis/grace) based upon their relationship with the one able to show favor. “Finding favor i...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Beha’alotcha comes from Numbers 8:2, “When you erect the lamps” or “When you set-up the lamps.” The shoresh of beha’alotcha is aleph-lamed-hey, alah, which is “to go up” or “ascend.” Be...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 55:1 For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David. 2 Give ear, O God, to my prayer and do not ignore my plea for help. 3 Listen to me and answer me. I am...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 54:8 I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You. I will praise Your name, Adonai, for it is good. 9 For He has delivered me from all trouble, and my eye has gazed upon my enemies.The rab...  Read More

Shalom,Rabbi’s note: Tomorrow is our final day of preparation for the trip to Israel which starts before “o-dark-thirty” on Wednesday.  I’ll try to get an RR out, but I can’t make any promises. ______...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 54:6 Surely God is my helper. My Lord is the supporter of my soul.Did you notice in part 1 (see the RR for last Friday, May 22nd) this Psalm is labeled (along with some others that are si...  Read More

Shalom and Chag Sameach,Everybody should know about God’s grace, and we have the privilege of making His favor known. It is an honor to bear witness to this reality. We can proclaim His saving favor t...  Read More