Justice rather than war, kindness rather than power, truth, the creativity of language, trust - this is the world-order that is called "yashar" - straight, or upstanding. It is for these values that God created His world.

How do we make amends for our crimes and misdemeanours? How do we deal with guilt and remorse?

This is a chapter of trust and faith in God in the face of violence, accusation and humiliation which the person of faith experiences. The statement here is one of absolute rock-steady reliance on God. For the Habad Niggun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQlvERRARWg&ab_channel=%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91%D7%90%D7%95%D7%…

This is a chapter we say daily, but it has an unusual flow of ideas - just when we think we are out of trouble, the chapter plunges back into despair! Why? And what does this have to do with the "Dedication of the House"?

God's name appears 18 times in this chapter.The word for "sound" is repeated seven times.Does the power of God only manifest itself through noise?

We study this exquisite chapter of prayer with its resonating vocabulary.We also talk about the biblical posture for prayer. Finally we discuss how Sefer Tehillim frequently describes God as hearing our prayers from the Temple.

Psalm 27 is recited during the month of elul in Ashkenazi congregations. From a place of absolute security in God, the Psalmist finds himself unmoored, insecure and distant from Hashem. How will he find his way back?

Our chapter contrasts the evil of the outside world with the purity and comfort of God's sanctuary.We relate this contrast to reflect upon Yom Haatzmaut which we celebrate today.

The author of this Psalm is far from perfect. But he has implicit trust in God. In God's forgiveness. In God's salvation. In God's covenant - truth, justice, kindness. In the idea that God will teach the people of his covenant and guide them in a path of betterment

Psalm 24 is the Mizmor for Sunday and the chapter recited in the synagogue when we return the Sefer Torah to the Aron Kodesh.

One of the most famous Psalms - Green Pastures and Still Waters and the Valley of the Shadow of Death. We read this as expressing David's biography. Music: https://youtu.be/436giBnpszY?si=h4s7deqFkQMVNBUD

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 clos…

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 m…

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.

This "royalty psalm" underscores the intimate relationship between God and the king.

Our Psalm/Mizmor contrasts the path of the wicked with that of the righteous.The wicke dlook active, but it is all bluster. Only the person attached to Torah is genuinely rooted, and will endure.Our Patreon page is here if you would like to offer some financial support.https://www.patreon.com/user?u=51407457…

What is Psalms about? Who wrote the Psalms? Today we introduce this important book.

Malachi is the final prophet. After this, there is no prophecy. But why did prophecy end?

Today we speak of: 1. The role of priests 2. The impeccable standards necessary for Torah teachers 3. The debate in Malachi about intermarriage.

Today we introduce Malachi and the period in which he prophecizes. We then move to explain the first two polemics of ch.1

War in Jerusalem. Revelation. Universal recognition and worship of God

We are still on "that day" - a day which is part apocalypse, part redemptive. This chapter speaks about the purging of Jerusalem.

Chapter 12-14 describe an "end of days" global battle against Jerusalem in which God will fight the nations, save his city and his people. Today we study the first installment of this heady drama.

The "sheep of the slaughter" - one of the most mysterious and cryptic chapters in Tanakh.

We visit the debate of when Zechariah ch.9-14 was written.

Today we discuss the notion that the future king who will bring peace to Jerusalem will be "poor and riding a donkey" (9:9) - an image which has often been seen as associated with the Mashiach.

Today we discuss the phrase (8:16) "Truth, Justice and Peace" and the inherent tensions between them.

It is the 4th year of Darius. The Temple is not yet completed but the structure is already standing. People are asking: Will we need to fast on the 9th of Av this year? The prophet responds. What do you think he said?

Two prophecies: Chariots (again) - and Crowns. What are the messages behind these prophecies? In our reading, both are prophecies encouraging the returnees to Jerusalem that God is backing the enterprise of the Return to Zion, and the project of rebuilding the Temple.

A flying scroll; a female figure of evil transported in a lead cauldron - these are the strange and colourful images of our chapter. But What do they mean?

An image of a golden Menorah with two olive trees. This prophecy has become the basis of the national crest of the State of Israel. But what does it all mean?

Zechariah sees a celestial hearing in which the High Priest stands before Satan. God rebukes Satan and says that he doesn't want to hear any accusations against the Jewish People who have endured so much! Instead the High Priest is given fresh, clean clothing, symbolizing God's forgiveness of His people and his intent to offer Israel a fresh start,…

We continue with Zechariah's visions which express the end of Israel's oppression and dispersion, and promises both God's and Israel's return to Jerusalem.