Matityahu David

Jew, Husband, Father, Friend

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Chag Chanukah Sameach!

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Chag Chanukah Sameach!

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Chag Chanukah Sameach!

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Holiness is the process of confronting those edges, confronting the stuff I don’t like. To be holy is to push against the edges and grow. Torah is not about telling us what we should be, it’s telling us what is. Giving us the opportunity to engage with what is to make what should be.

Rabbi Sarra Lev

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Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! In light of this day, it’s appropriate to share a piece of the Amidah: “We give thanks to You, for You are HaShem our G-d and G-d of our ancestors for ever and all time. You are the Rock of our lives, Shield of our salvation from generation to generation. We will thank You and declare Your praise for our lives, which are entrusted into Your hand; for our souls, which are placed in Your charge; for Your miracles which are with us every day; and for Your wonders and favors at all times, even morning and midday. You are good - for Your compassion never fails. You are compassionate - for Your loving-kindnesses never cease; for we have always placed our hope in You. For all these things may Your name be blessed and exalted and raised up, our King, continually, for ever and all time. Let all that lives thank You, Selah! and praise and bless Your great name in truth, always, because it is good, G-d, our Savior, and Help, Selah! the beneficent G-d. Blessed are You, HaShem, whose name is ‘the Good’ and to whom thanks are due.” B’’H

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Kindness & Strength

This week, we read in parashat Toldot, specially Breisheet (Genesis) 25:19, where Torah over emphasizes that Abraham is Isaacs father. Abraham was known for his chesed (loving-kindness) whole Isaac was know for his gevurah (strength) but in life, we need both. Having kindness without strength can lead to self-indulgence and hedonism. Strength without kindness can lead to selfishness and cruelty. Strength and kindness must go together.

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Repeat after me. Reading through a religion’s holy text does not make you an expert on the religion. Reading through a religion’s holy text does not make you an expert on the religion. Reading through a religion’s holy text does not make you an expert on the religion. You may be surprised to hear this, but a religion is more than the canonical text it draws on. It’s interpretative traditions about said text, it’s a way of looking at the world, it’s a way of framing your relationships with other human beings, it’s a source of creativity, it’s a way of structuring your life. You may “know” more about a collection of verses and some doctrines that can be drawn from them than a practitioner of the religion, but you’ll never, ever truly understand the religion as a lived-through experience if you insist that reading the text means you know all you need to know about it.

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Shield of Abraham

In parashat Lech Lecha (B’reisheet / Genesis 15:1), we read: After these events, the word of HaShem came to Abram (Abraham) in a vision, saying, “Fear not, Abram, I am a shield for you; your reward is very great.” This declaration is the first blessing of the Amidah (a daily prayer) and it says, “Blessed are you, Lord, shield of Abraham”, but why would Abraham need a shield?

Abraham had recently rescued some relatives and refused to take for himself some of the spoils of the battle. Instead, he declares that HaShem will receive glory by blessing Abraham with offspring and wealth. But what about retaliation from neighboring successors? What about the fact that Abraham still had no offspring? HaShem reassures Abraham that He is the shield, the very protection from any reprisals and the defender against obstacles – like barrenness.

Perhaps Abraham wondered if HaShems’ blessings only go so far or that he shouldn’t expect any other blessings. We must be careful that our humility doesn’t negatively impact our faith. HaShem made promises to Abraham and by faith, Abraham demonstrates that HaShem is true to His word. This means that we can certainly trust HaShem; however, false humility keeps us from receiving the promises already guaranteed because we mistakenly believe that the Shield doesn’t go with us. B’’H

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Trials

In parashat Lech Lecha (B’reisheet / Genesis 12:1-17:27), we read of Abraham (called Abram) is called leave his homeland, his family and relatives to a place that HaShem will show him. This test is but one of 10 that Abraham will endure in his life and will require him to chose between his nature and HaShems will. In the end, Abraham did subordinate his wishes and wisdom to HaShem. By doing so, he reveals what we should all do – accept that His ways are far superior to ours.

Since HaShem knows all, including the future and how we will respond, why was it necessary to test Abraham? I should point out that not every difficulty is a test. Sometimes, we experience hard times as a result of sin, whether it’s ours or someone else’s. But for those times in our lives, when we are experiencing a trial – its to our own benefit. HaShem does not test beyond our capacity to handle. We have free choice and we must find the strength and wisdom to choose correctly. If we do, our action then translates into our betterment. In the end, we will be rewarded for what we do rather that for what we were merely capable of doing.

B’’H

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337 votes and 36 comments so far on Reddit

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Shabbat Shalom!

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13th Attribute of Mercy

Today, we have the 13th attribute of the 13 Attributes of Mercy. It’s also the last day of the Days of Awe. The 13th, “nakkeh” (who cleanses), but the Hebrew text speaks of punishing the guilty. The difference comes from reconciling the apparent contradiction by modifying how the prayer is read. This liturgical treatment facilitates the message of HaShems mercy; however, this contradiction creates the demand for the work of Messiah.

Messiah Yeshua is the only means by which G-d’s attributes of mercy and forgiveness is reconciled with HaShems demand for justice.B’’H

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100,000 Jews gathered for Selichot prayers at Western Wall

100,000 Jews gathered for Selichot prayers at Western Wall

B’’H

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12th Attribute of Mercy

Today, we have the 12th attribute of the 13 Attributes of Mercy. The 12th, “nosei chatta’ah” (forgives sin), we have another category of sin being forgiven: unintentional sin; which is breaking commandments due to apathy or neglect or ignorance. Should these even be counted? Well, they are as no sin is inconsequential; yet, HaShem still forgives.

Messiah Yeshua embodies this because through him, we find forgiveness of sin. He is our atonement, our offering that brings us near to HaShem. B’’H