Claim OwnershipThe Tanakh Podcast
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© Alex Israel
Description
Study Tanakh with Rav Alex Israel.
5-10 mins.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
5-10 mins.
One chapter a day.
929 schedule.
415 Episodes
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One of the most desperate of the Psalms.
The King's power and his victories are by the blessings bestowed by God
Tehillim ch.20 is part of our daily liturgy.
We also relate to this Midrash:
Another interpretation: "The Lord will answer you on a day of trouble." A father and son were traveling when the son became tired and asked his father, "Where is the country?" The father replied, "My son, if you see a cemetery in front of you, know that the country is close to you." So the Lord said to Israel, "If you see that troubles are covering you at that time, you will be redeemed," as it is said, "The Lord will answer you on a day of trouble
This psalm that we read every Shabbat morning declares how the heavens in their movements and regularity, the sun in its heat - all declare the power and honour of God.
But then the chpater starts talking about Torah.
What is the connection?
Chapter 18 is David's victory song, found also in 2 Samuel ch.22. It is a long chapter.
Today, we break it down into its component segments and explain the biographical and ethical messages behind this poetry.
The poet in this Psalm appeals to God for assistance, and affirms his personal integrity, his honesty and decency.
As a result he anticipates that God will support and protect him form those who seek to harm him.
Today we discuss the verse שויתי ה' לנגדי תמיד
Who may dwell in God's tent, Who may dwell on His holy mountain?
Is it the person who brings the fattest ram or the finest goat? Or possibly some other requirement?
This Psalm closes the series of Psalms dealing with the righteous being victimized by the evil.
We will address the question of how "There is no God" relates to unscrupulous conduct.
This chapter turns from deep despair to exaltation.
How does it happen?
How does one have faith that fortunes will reverse, that exile will become redemption? - That might well be the secret of Pesach.
Yonatan Razel - link
Aharon Razel - link
When speech loses its integrity, society abandons trust.
What happens when language is abused, and instead of truth, it is merely about what gets me ahead?
What does a person do when society turns to violence, when law and order fall apart? Does one "run to the hills" or does one stay and have faith in God?
Is it blasphemy to challenge God in times of distress?
In this chapter the author of Psalms challenges God with the question as to why the innocent suffer, and the butchers of history are not brought to justice?
This is a question asked from the Israelites in Egypt to the works of Elie Weisel.
"On Being" Interview with Elie Weisel is here
Opening music: Leonard Cohen - You Want it Darker
A chapter of joy, of victory against our enemies, of the restoration of justice and order in the world, an almost messianic reality.
Is humankind insignificant and lowly, or just a little lower than God?
What does a person do when they are falsely accused, pursued for no fault of their own?
This chapter is the text that we use for Tachanun, in the rabbinic phraseology, "Nefilat Apayim - falling on one's face."
As we shall see, this chapter tells a tale of intense dejection and sudden salvation.
Tehillim have fascinating and complex headings known as superscriptions.
But what do they mean? Do they denote authorship, musical notation or historical context?
What does a person do when they are falsely accused?
How do they cope with the emotional fallout?
Our chapter divides into two sections (with two inclusios)
v.1-4 prayer against those who defame
v.5-9 - sleeping soundly due to trust in God
David is pursued into exile by his son in a mutiny, and he cries out to God.
This psalm reassures the person in distress: "I lie down, and I sleep; I awake, for God supports me." Due to this verse, this chapter is included in the prayers before a person goes to sleep at night.
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