Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, March 14, 2025
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Special Announcement: This Saturday is “Shushan Purim” on the Jewish calendar. It is the day after regular Purim, when walled cities celebrate the Feast of Esther. Shomair is also celebrating on Saturday. We encourage those who would like to dress up, like a character from the book of Esther, bring something to eat and share, some hamantaschen https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/27201/easy-hamantaschen/ if you can and prepare to make some noise as we read the Book of Esther together.
Psalms
Psalm 26:1 – Part 1
Psalm 26:1 Of David. Vindicate me, Adonai, for I have walked in my integrity, and trusted in Adonai without wavering.
This first verse of Psalm 26 is full of meaningful concepts. 2Timothy 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as tried and true, as an unashamed worker cutting a straight path with the word of truth. May each one of us be that “unashamed worker.” This applies to us spiritually as we seek the deeper levels of understanding the Word of God.
What is translated as “vindicate me” in Hebrew is “Shaf’tay’ni.” A “Shofet” is a judge. This is an invitation to God to be our judge. Unless we have Yeshua as our advocate, that is a very dangerous proposition. We need His blood covering to save us from God’s severe judgment.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of His Son Yeshua purifies us from all sin.
This is a conditional statement, “If we walk… as He (Yeshua) Himself, (walked – then)… the blood of… Yeshua purifies us.” So following Yeshua is a call to obedience of the Torah. Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of Torah who are righteous before God; rather, it is the doers of Torah who will be justified.
It is too bad that we have several meanings of the English word, “judgment.” We are all called to practice good judgment, but to avoid the judgment of others. A “courthouse” in Hebrew is a “Beit Din,” meaning “a house of judgment.” A trial has two parts, the hearing and weighing of testimony (evidence), and the determining of a verdict.
We are all called to know right from wrong (according to God’s righteous standard found in the Torah), and at the same time to avoid judging (condemning) others. You and I are not sending anyone to hell. God, in His perfect love has reserved that privilege for Himself.
1John 3:4 Everyone practicing sin also practices lawlessness—indeed, sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that Yeshua appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who sins has seen Him or known Him.
There is much more to our proper understanding of this first verse of Psalm 26. Let’s take another “bite” tomorrow. Happy Purim and Shabbat Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri 14-Mar-2025 14th of Adar, 5785 Purim
Ex 17:8-16 Esther 1-10 Rev 19:1-5