Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, June 15, 2024
Shabbat Shalom,
Day 49 of counting the Omer
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer. Today is seven weeks and no days (complete) of the counting of the Omer.
Follow up that prayer by remembering a blessing from the Lord and give Him thanks. 2Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us brings about thanksgiving to God. 12 For this service of giving is not only supplying the needs of the kedoshim, but is also overflowing with many thanksgivings to God.
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The Praise of God’s chesed and Two Displays of Glory
By David Harwood
At Solomon’s Temple’s dedication, Israel’s celebration of chesed-חֶסֶד was a precursor to two displays of glory. In the first, God’s response to the initial praise of His chesed-חֶסֶד is described like this:
The kohanim could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of Adonai filled the House of God. (2 Chronicles 5:14 TLV)
A weighty cloud of God’s presence filled the House. This was unexpected. Nobody could prepare for this. Human sacred activity came to a sudden halt.
Then, Solomon prayed. In response fire came down from heaven, consumed the sacrifices, and, perhaps, a different degree of God’s glory filled the Temple. Before, the priests could not minister. Now, apparently recovered from the first manifestation of glory, the priests could not enter the House.
Now when Solomon finished praying the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of Adonai filled the House. The kohanim could not even enter into the House of Adonai because the glory of Adonai filled the House of Adonai.
Then, this happened.
When all Bnei-Yisrael saw the fire come down and the glory of Adonai above the House, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, prostrating themselves and praising Adonai, “For He is good and His chesed-חֶסֶד endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:1–3 TLV)
Apparently, something shifted. What happened? All Israel took over the priestly chant. In the first stage of divine visitation, God responded to His people’s praise. In the second, the glory of God came down in response to their king’s petition and the people’s praise was the response to God’s presence.
The praise of the priests prepared the people. Fire consumed sacrifices. Glory overshadowed the House which was already filled with a cloud. Note, the glory of Adonai was above the House. This was visible glory covering an inner manifestation of glory.
The manifest presence of God was a guarantee that Solomon’s petition would be answered. God signified that his prayers were accepted. Adonai‘s presence announced His approval of the king’s petitions.
No wonder they continued to praise God’s enduring, faithful, chesed-חֶסֶד.
The people could not rely upon priestly representatives. The kohanim, who were in closer proximity to the glory, couldn’t function. In this instance of praise no musical instruments were played, no choral arrangements were present. The covenant people were prostrated in His presence and they praised Him according to the priestly pattern.
“For He is good and His chesed-חֶסֶד endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 7:3b TLV)
From this we can learn that the magnifying of God’s chesed-חֶסֶד is appropriate in an initial outpouring of enthusiastic praise bolstered by musicians and trained singers. It is also suitable in less boisterous, quietly reverential, worship. The meditation and mentioning of His everlasting goodness and chesed-חֶסֶד is relevant in every expression of adoration.
This worship was maintained. It was a mainstay throughout Israel’s history. In the time of the first restoration, at the dedication of the rebuilt house of God, it is recorded that this chant was sung to God.
With praise and thanksgiving they sang to Adonai,
“For He is good; For His chesed-חֶסֶד upon Israel endures forever.”
Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to Adonai because the foundation of the House of Adonai had been laid. (Ezra 3:11 TLV)
This worship (He is good and His chesed-חֶסֶד upon Israel endures forever) was the preamble to a shout of praise. The LORD’s house’s foundation was completed and the nation interpreted that accomplishment as a manifestation of His chesed-חֶסֶד towards them.
Speaking of foundations, having a righteous evaluation of God’s chesed-חֶסֶד is foundational to our approach to God.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
9 Sivan Shabbat 15-Jun-24 49th day of the Omer Parashat Nasso
Numbers 7:1-7:89 Judges 13:2-25