Posts with the category “rabbis-reflections”

Shavuah Tov,Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.”In my last RR earlier this month, I ...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Gratitude is an essential aspect of humility’s foundation. Humility opens the door for increased favor. A nuance of charis is thankfulness.Sinners love (agape) those who love (agape) th...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 40:7 Sacrifice and offering You did not desire—my ears You have opened—burnt offering and sin offering You did not require.Well, well, well!!! What have we here?  These ne...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 40:6 Many things You have done, Adonai my God—Your plans for us are wonderful—there is none to be compared to You! If I were to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to count!Go ...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 40:5 Blessed is the one who put his confidence in Adonai, who has not turned to the arrogant, nor to those who fall into falsehood.This “blessed” is not that “blessed.”  This “blessed” is...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 40:4 He put a new song in my mouth—a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and trust in Adonai.Wait a minute… a “new song?”  And why wouldn’t we sing a “new song?”Just yester...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 40:1 For the music director, a psalm of David. 2 I waited patiently for Adonai. He bent down to me and heard my cry. 3 He brought me up out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. Then...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,I continue a brief series prompted by Veterans Day, which was observed less than one week ago (November 11, 2025). I hope you remembered our heroes, living and dead, who have served or are...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,I remember a time I vindicated myself and was dissatisfied with the results. I had experienced God’s vindication several times before this, and I prayed, asking where His manifest appro...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 39:13 “Hear my prayer, Adonai, and listen to my cry—do not keep silent at my tears. For with You I am an outsider, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 14 Turn your gaze a...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 39:11 Remove Your scourge from me. I perish by the blow of Your hand. 12 With rebukes You chasten one for iniquity and You consume like a moth what he finds pleasure in. Surely all humani...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 39:10 I am speechless, not opening my mouth—for You have done it.The Hebrew for “speechless” is “Ne’e’lam’ti,” meaning “I was mute.”  The Shoresh is “Alam” which has a diversity of meanin...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 39:8 And now, my Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 9 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of a fool. Rabbi Trail:  In verse 8, King David asks the Lo...  Read More

Shalom,Yesterday, Jan and I had the opportunity to share a few highlights of our experience at the Illumination Conference held by Ken Fish’s Orbis Ministries in Nashville last month.  I promised to p...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.”One of the challenges we can have as...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Most likely every adult human has had the common cold. Trying to breathe through a stuffed nose can be a trial. Nasal congestion is a nuisance. Why? Is there a problem with the air-supp...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 39:4 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: 5 “Let me know, Adonai, my end and what the number of my days is. Let me...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 39:1 For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David. 2 I said: “I will guard my ways, so I will not sin with my tongue. I will muzzle my mouth while the wicked are before me.” 3 S...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 38:22 Do not forsake me, Adonai. O my God, be not far from me. 23 Hurry to my aid, my Lord, my salvation.King David concludes this Psalm with three quick declarations, as he implores God ...  Read More

Rabbi’s Reflections - Tuesday, November 11, 2025 Shalom,Psalm 38:20 My lively enemies are numerous. Many hate me wrongfully. 21 Those who repay evil for good oppose me because I pursue what is good.To...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 38:17 For I said: “Don’t let them gloat over me or exalt themselves over me, when my foot slips.” 18 For I am about to fall, and my pain is before me constantly. 19 So I confess my guilt....  Read More

Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have in mind for you,” declares Adonai, “plans for shalom and not calamity—to give you a future and a hope.”One of the challenges ...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Our last meditation considered two hindrances to expecting favor (charis): unbelief and unhealthy introspection. The obstacle we will look at in this meditation is similar to unhealthy ...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 38:13 They who seek my life set traps. Those who seek my hurt threaten destruction, uttering lies all day. 14 But I, like someone deaf, hear nothing, like a mute, not open...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 38:11 My heart pounds, my strength fails me. The light of my eyes—also, not with me. 12 My friends and my companions stay away from my wound, and my kinsmen stand far off.This is sounding...  Read More

Shalom {{firstName}},Psalm 38:9 I am numb and utterly crushed. I groan because of anguish in my heart. 10 My Lord, all my longing is before You, and my sighing is not hidden from You.About half of the...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 38:7 I am bent over, bowed down greatly. All day I walk about in mourning. 8 For my heart is filled with burning pain, and there is no health in my body.It is a pity that we have to trans...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 38:5 For my iniquities are on my head—like a burden too heavy for me. 6 My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.Read how these verses begin….  (What story is David tell...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,The Apostle Paul gave advice for gracious living. (Romans 13:7: Pay to everyone what is due them— tribute to whom tribute is due; tax to whom tax is due; respect to whom respect is due; ho...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Beloved, do you believe that you are favored by Almighty God? One of our natural characteristics is that we mistrust Him. I believe it is a genetic consequence of the fall exacerbated b...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom {{firstName}},Psalm 38:3 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me and Your hand has pressed down on me. 4 There is no health in my flesh because of Your indignation. There is no w...  Read More

Shalom, Psalm 38:1 A psalm of David, for a memorial. 2 Adonai, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.In the Christian Bible, this is all verse 1.  Therefore; the numbering of t...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 37:39 Yet the salvation of the righteous is from Adonai. He is their stronghold in time of trouble. 40 Adonai helps them and delivers them. He rescues them from the wicked and saves them—...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 37:37 Notice the man of integrity and watch the upright—for the man of shalom has a future. 38 But transgressors will be destroyed altogether. The future of the wicked will be cut off.The...  Read More

Shalom {{firstName}},Psalm 37:35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a leafy tree in native soil. 36 But once he passed by, he was no more. Though I looked for him, he could not be fou...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,Psalm 37:34 Wait for Adonai and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.In many ways, this verse is a restatement of verse 9… ...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,Where is favor found?Without doing harm to the intent of the Scriptures we can translate charis as favor. Favor is often revealed in the heart, and act, of kindness to someone found wor...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 37:32 The wicked lies in wait for the righteous, seeking to slay him. 33 But Adonai will not leave him in his hand, or let him be condemned when judged.The Israelis have b...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom and his tongue speaks justice. 31 The Torah of his God is in his heart. His steps do not slip.Notice the “heart connection” of verse 31!  Th...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 37:29 The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.Ever notice how God’s covenant promises always include land?  Genesis 12:1 Then Adonai said to Abram, “Get going out from...  Read More