Posts with the category “rabbis-reflections”

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

Shabbat Shalom,Here is a reminder that Sunday, May 24th is Shavuot.  We will have a joint service with Grace and Glory in the sanctuary followed by a picnic on the grounds.  Please bring a side, salad...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 54:1 For the music director, on stringed instruments, a contemplative song of David, 2 when the Ziphites came and said to Saul: “Is not David hiding himself among us?” 3  ...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 53:7 Who will give salvation for Israel out of Zion? When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!Today we end our study of Psalm 53 with the last verse.  O...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 53:6 There they are in great dread—where there is nothing to fear. For God has scattered the bones of those besieging you. You have put them to shame, for God has rejected them.Boo!  Did ...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 53:4 All have turned aside—together they have become corrupt. There is no one who does good—no, not even one! 5 Will the evildoers never learn? They consume My people as they would eat br...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 53:3 God looks down from the heavens on the children of men, to see if anyone understands, who seeks after God.The Hebrew word is “Shaqaf” meaning to look down from a lofty position.  In ...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,God’s favor is as certain as His love. The certainty of His acting favorably towards us is as sure as tomorrow’s sunrise. (Hosea 6:3) His intervening love is everlasting – it is always rel...  Read More

Shabbat Shalom,This week’s Torah Portion is Bamidbar, which translates to “in the wilderness. This portion includes a census of fighting men, naming leaders, organizing the camp, Levites replacing the...  Read More

(Early) ShabbatPsalm 53:1 For the music director: on Mahalath, a contemplative song of David. 2 The fool says in his heart: “There is no God.” They are corrupt, commit vile injustice. There is no one ...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 52:11 I will praise You forever for what You have done. I will hope in Your Name, for it is good, in the presence of Your kedoshim.Here is my own amplified translation of verse 11, which ...  Read More

Shalom,PsalmsPsalm 52:8-10(6-8) – Part 5Psalm 52:8 Then the righteous will see and fear, and laugh at him: 9 Here is the man who did not make God his stronghold. Instead he trusted in his great riches...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 52:6 You love only devouring words—treacherous tongue! 7 God will pull you down forever, and snatch you, rip you out of your tent, and uproot you from the land of the living. SelahYet aga...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 52:4 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceit. 5 You love evil instead of good, lying rather than speaking right. SelahDavid is not yet done trashing “Doeg.”  Thi...  Read More

Shavuah Tov,Yeshua will return. Those who confess Him as Lord and believe in their hearts that He has been raised from the dead will be saved.For if you confess with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord, an...  Read More

Shabbat shalom,This week we have another double portion. Behar which translates to “on Mount (Sinai),” Bechukotai which translates to “in My statutes.” This reading covers Sabbatical years, the Year o...  Read More

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,Psalm 52:3c(1g) God’s lovingkindness is every day.There it is… a short “tag line,” just sitting out there like an orphan.  In Hebrew it reads, “Chesed El Kol-Yom.”  It’s a simpl...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 52:1 For the music director: a contemplative song of David, 2 when Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul telling him, “David went to Ahimelech’s house.” 3 Why do you brag about evil,...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 51:20 In Your favor do good to Zion. Build up the walls of Jerusalem. 21 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will be offered on Your altar....  Read More

Shalom,Psalm 51:18 For You would not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it, nor be pleased by burnt offerings. 19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Yo...  Read More