The city contains violence and conspiracy. The wilderness is a refuge. We discuss this as a trans-biblical theme.

David feels utterly abandoned, betrayed, lonely. He turns to God. What is the nature, the texture of this type of faith? How does it manifest itself?

The evildoers says "There is no God!" If we feel that there is no comeuppance, no consequences, no judge and no law, then humans are capable of the most dastardly things, jeopardizing our collective harmony.

This chapter attacks people whose tongues are like razors, cutting down the innocent, causing devastation, under the guise that they are serving the collective good.

King David demonstrates the art of prayer after his devastating sin, the mistake of his life. This Psalm contains some of the most sublime expressions in prayer of remorse, and request for renewal, forgiveness and divine acceptance.

God assails the hypocrisy of those who live unscrupulous lives and yet bring sacrifices, as if that will bring them favor with God.

Our chapter meditates upon the end of life and what is important to achieve in this world. Music. George Michael - They won't go where I Go Zusha - The World to Come

Chapter 48 is the special psalm recited every Monday, and is a hymn to the uniqueness of Jerusalem.,

This chapter is recited 7 times before the Shofar is sounded. What does it mean?

With its famous chorus line that we recite at Havdallah, this chapter celebrates God as the protector of His holy city and His nation.

This is a coronation Psalm, and, it would seem, a royal wedding. But who is the king? And who is his bride?

This chapter has three segments: 1. How God always fought the battles of the Jewish People, He was their strength, pride and protection. 2. But now God has abandoned us to defeat, dispersion, derision and slaughter. 3. But Israel has retained their loyalty to God. God! Why have you abandoned us?

Psalm 42-49 are all Psalms of the Bnei Korach. What is their story? Who is this group?

"As the deer craves streams of water, so my soul craves for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Who is thirsting for God? Why? Where is he? What is the back-story?

God helps those who help others!

When one is saved by God, how does one respond? Sing God's praises? offer sacrifices? Or dedicate our lives and our lifestyles to God's laws and ideals? That is the topic of our chapter.

This is a chapter of terrible suffering. What is the point of the short lifespan of our lives if it is filled with pain and torment. That is the question asked by our chapter.

This chapter presents a sense of guilt and remorse for (an unidentified) sin. And yet, the sinner is suffering at the hands of violent enemies. Should past mistakes justify the violence perpetrated against him?? Should one perennially be a victim because one has erred? Or might one appeal to God to appreciate ultimately who is on teh side of good, …

Our alphabetical Psalm is a meditation on divine justice - that evil will wane and disappear, and the righteous "will inherit the earth". "Don't envy the evil!" it preaches. In the long term, the virtuous will endure and prevail.

There is good and bad. And our heart has to make a choice.

This is a Psalm in 3 stanzas. David is being pursued, betrayed by his friends, and falsely accused. Each segment ends in words of praise to God. One of these features in our prayer "Nishmat" and reads "All my bones say - L-rd, who is like You?" Opening Music. Joey Weisenberg - Nishat Kol ChaiClosing Music: Hanan Ben Ari. Kol Atzmotai (Habad Niggun)…

This chapter praises God for always assisting teh righteous and saving them from their pursuers and enemies. In the centre of the chapter though, David speaks of "guard your tongue from evil and your lips from falsehood - seek peace and pursue it!" How does this fit in?

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.

Transcript & English subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZlZNH46vz4 【Free】Vocab & Phrase list (PDF): https://buymeacoffee.com/tanakasan/e/247929 Tanaka Radio Playlist: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkK7KO2TnEcx18YuX8g5OOOLBMomrIvCE

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?