1^st of Tishrei, September 30, 2008

David speaks of G-D as Subject: "Your kingdom is a kingdom for all times, and Your dominion is for every generation (Psalm 145:13)."   Hashem's kingdom endures forever; He is at once the past, present and future King.   Every generation submits to His dominion.   The Rav comments that despite or because of His grandeur, Hashem grants us a window of opportunity to Him.  At this time of year, when we beseech Him for a good year, He is the Object of our petitions- "He does the will of those who fear Him, and He hears their cry and saves them (v. 19)."   Hashem moves from His role as active Ruler of the Universe to being the passive object of our supplications.  Hashem listens attentively to our prayers, hearing our cries and saving us.   On Rosh Hashanah, we storm the heavens with our prayers and our requests for the new year, and Hashem promises to listen.

2^nd of Tishrei, October 1, 2008

"The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He destroys (Psalm 145:20)."   David discriminates between the wicked and the good.  However, he chooses not to contrast the wicked with the good, instead distinguishing between the "lovers of G-D" and the "wicked".   David is teaching us a lesson for life.  To be wicked is to hate G-D.   To distort the world G-D has given, to use it exclusively for oneself, is to corrupt creation.  Man was created to serve, to use the world as his vehicle of connection to his Creator.  Since the wicked subvert the master design, Hashem in turn destroys them.   But those that love G-D, who make Him their focal point, are preserved by Him.   Goodness has love of G-D at its core, not self-love.   To be good and do good, one must serve a master other than the self; one must love G-D and walk in His ways.

Ketiva v'Chatima Tova

Copyright, 2008 Rachel Lerner