Rabbi’s Reflections - Sunday, June 8, 2025Shavuah Tov {{firstName}},PsalmsPsalm 31:1,2(1) – Part 1Psalm 31:1 For the music director, a psalm of David. 2 In You, Adonai, have I taken refuge: Let me nev...  Read More

In Proverbs, a father revealed a path to gaining favor. Let kindness and truth never leave you— bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will gain favor (chen/char...  Read More

This Psalm, like so many others, finishes in a flourish with a series of joyful thoughts. Look at this list of exchanges…. Mourning into dancing, sackcloth into clothes of joy, sing in glory and not ...  Read More

This “plea” by David is an appeal to the Lord for mercy. We must all make such an appeal. The Hebrew word translated as “plea” is “Etchanan,” with “Chen” at the heart of it. ...  Read More

Shalom,PsalmsPsalm 30:8(7) – Part 7Psalm 30:8 Adonai, in Your favor You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was terrified.Here is the choice offered by our subject verse… “Stand S...  Read More

And this use of a sense of security is not necessarily a good thing, as it is regularly tied to an attitude of complacency. The sad truth (revealed throughout history) is that we, the people, turn to...  Read More

There is a contrast in the Hebrew of this verse. The contrast is between “B’ki” (Bet-Kaf-Yud) and Rina (Resh-Nun-Hey). They both mean “to cry out,” but in totally different contexts. ...  Read More

This “remembrance” is not the opposite of “forgetfulness,” but a memorial that is a testimony of our eternal debt to His kindness. How dare we receive His kindness and not offer a praise of thanks? ...  Read More

There are only two examples of chen/charis in the Psalms. Let’s look at the first, Psalm 45:3 TLV.Grace pours from your lips. Therefore God has blessed you forever. (Psalm 45:3b TLV) “Favor (charis/ch...  Read More

Announcement:  This Saturday (May 31st) is the fifth Saturday of May.  Therefore; we will not have a service on Saturday morning this week.  Instead, we will have a Friday night Shabbat dinner (bring ...  Read More

The greatest miracle in the world is that the almighty God, creator of the world and everything in it (He must be really smart to make it all work together amidst the never ceasing chaos) loves you an...  Read More

Shalom,Psalm Psa 30:1 A psalm, a song for the dedication of the Temple, of David. 2 I will exalt You, Adonai, for You have lifted me up, and did not let my enemies gloat over me.A few housekeeping ite...  Read More