The Tent of David was the place of worship for Israel and the nations from the time that David brought the Ark into the Tent until it was placed in the Temple’s Holy of Holies in the days of King Josiah. At that time, the Tent of David became ‘fallen.’ With the restoration of the…
Category: Double-edged Sword
Listed as Chapter and Verse
Tehillim Today
Psalm 108 – A son, a psalm by David.
“My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and make music with my glory. Awake, lute and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will thank you, Adonai, among the peoples; I will make music to you among the nations. For your grace is great, above heaven, and your truth, all the way to the skies. Be exalted, God, above heaven! May your glory be over all the earth, in order that those you love can be rescued; so save with your right hand, and answer me! God in his holiness spoke,and I took joy [in his promise]: “I will divide Sh’khem and determine the shares in the Sukkot Valley. Gil‘ad is mine and M’nasheh mine, Efrayim my helmet, Y’hudah my scepter. Mo’av is my washpot; on Edom I throw my shoe; Over P’leshet I shout in triumph.” Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? God, have you rejected us? You don’t go out with our armies, God. Help us against our enemy, for human help is worthless. With God’s help we will fight valiantly, for he will trample our enemies.”
The ‘yod’ of Ya’akov
Is it not interesting that humanity, by-and-large, traces linage through the seed of man with one exception: the Jewish people? It is a common expression that if “your mother is Jewish, then you are Jewish.” Who else could be called “the seed of woman,” someone who is Jewish, and is also referred to as “heel” other than Ya’akov––the one named “heel” through whom all Jewish people today trace their linage, via their mothers.
The “Door” of Judah
In today’s Torah portion, Vayechi, we read the beginning of the blessings from Jacob (Israel) to his sons. This year the blessing of Judah stood out to me in particular. “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s sons shall bow down to you. The…