Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, October 2, 2024
L’Shana Tovah,
“L’Shana Tovah” literally means “for a good year,” but idiomatically, it communicates “happy new year.” The Jewish new year is not like the secular (December 31st) new year. It is labeled “Yom Teruah” (the Feast of Trumpets) in Leviticus 23. What are trumpets doing in the new year? They are used to make some announcements (or pronouncements). First, their message is, “Wake up!” Then they say, “Pay attention.” And finally, we hear, “It’s time to crown Yeshua as King.” That’s right, the Shofar announces His coronation! This is connected to the ram caught in the thicket when Isaac was almost sacrificed. We’ll unpack this and much more as we welcome the Jewish year 5785. L’Shanah Tovah my friends.
Psalms
Psalm 18:25(24) – Part 25
Psalm 18:25(24) So Adonai rewarded me for my righteousness, for the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.
This is not the reward of salvation. A reward is earned but salvation is a gift. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God. 9 It is not based on deeds, so that no one may boast. This is a reward for righteousness which is described as a crown laid up (a reward promised) for those who love the Lord.
Paul knew it, and he wrote about it to Timothy… 2Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 8 In the future there is reserved for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not to me only, but also to everyone who has longed for His appearing.
King David is writing in the middle of Psalm 18 of being rewarded for “my righteousness.” He goes on to further describe his righteousness as “the cleanness of my hands” in the eyes of God. Let’s talk about this in light of the High Holy Days which begin Wednesday at sundown.
There is a lengthy prayer in the High Holy Day liturgy, known as “the Avinu Malkeynu’s,” (our Father, our King). These are hundreds (I’m not exaggerating) of prayers that all begin with the words, “Avinu Malkeynu.” At the end of each group of 15 or so, there is one “Avinu Malkeynu” which is repeated. In transliterated Hebrew, it goes like this,… “Avinu Malkeynu Chaneynu Va’anenu, KI AYN BANU MA’ASIM…. (Some more Hebrew words follow at the end which I will share and unpack another time.) Translation, “Our Father, our King, (deal) mercifully (with us) and answer us (our prayers), BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING IN US TO MAKE (ANYTHING OUT OF.)
Rabbi’s note: The words in parentheses have to be added for us to understand the translation, but do not appear in the Hebrew per se. However; they are understood. End RN.
The point is this… “My righteousness” and “my hands” only benefit me when I am submitted to the will of God. Another way to say that, is “under His divine authority.” That same “authority” is delegated to us when we submit to it. (Satan and his demons know about this, but they are not submitted to it.) Matthew 28:18 And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19a Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,… 20 teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
That last phrase is so significant. Yeshua promises us we will never be alone. This was in last week’s Torah portion. Deuteronomy 31:8 “Adonai—He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be discouraged.” Keep the faith, fight and good fight and you will receive a crown of glory. 1Peter 5:4 When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
29 Elul Wednesday 2-Oct-24
Deuteronomy 32:19-28 Habakkuk 3 2 Chronicles 21 Acts 14 Revelations 8