15^th of Tishrei, October 14, 2008 

In Psalm 115, the psalmist contrasts the nations of the world with the children of Israel.  The world places its trust in gods of its own making, chief among them money.  "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands (v. 4)."   But those that worship money worship folly, for fortunes can change in an instant.  Where must Israel place its trust?  "O Israel, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.  O House of Aaron, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield.  O you who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord; He is their help and their shield (v. 9-11)."   The children of Israel are directed to place their faith only in G-D; He is their shield against their enemies from without.  Moreover, Hashem is their helper who assists them in fulfilling their mission.  Rav Hirsch explains that this assistance is the reason for the three terms noted in these verses: Israel, House of Aaron, and you who fear the Lord.   The term "Israel" alludes to the nation that is charged with bringing the awareness of the Divine to the world.  Within Israel we have the "House of Aaron" whose mission it is to bring the Divine to the Jewish nation itself.  Thirdly, we have the "G-D fearing" individual who seeks to fulfill his Divine mission by living his life in accordance with the laws of the Torah.  If we fulfill our purpose as ambassadors of the Divine; if the House of Aaron fulfills its Divine mandate; and if each of us individually lives and acts with fear and awe of G-D, we are assured of Hashem’s aid and protection. 

16^th of Tishrei, October 15^th, 2008 

As the children of Israel, we are truly blessed.  The psalmist affirms this, "Blessed are you for the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 115:15)."   Note that the psalmist does not say "Blessed are you from the Lord" which seems the more likely.  Certainly we are given any number of blessings from G-D, beginning with the gift of life.  Our Divine gifts, our skills and talents, are a blessing for G-D; used productively, our gifts benefit and support the work that G-D wants mankind to do on this earth.  G-D is the Maker of heaven and earth.  Not only has He created the world, but He daily shapes and guides the ongoing development of His creation wherein heaven and earth work together toward His goal.  When we use our Divinely given skills and talents in doing G-D’s work on earth, we are both a blessing from and for Hashem.

Moadim L’Simcha 

Copyright, 2008 Rachel Lerner