Psalm 27: The Light of the Future

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Prayer Skills-For Everything-Shelah

The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yeshayah Horowitz, author of Shnei Luchos Habris: Since everything comes from God, we have an obligation to pray to Him for all our needs. No matter what yo...

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Prayer Skills-For Everything-Shelah
The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yeshayah Horowitz, author of Shnei Luchos Habris: S...

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i-Thank: Morning Blessings

Morning Blessings-Pesach-Not A Slave

A pious Jew in the Kovno ghetto, compelled to do forced labor by the Nazis, asked Rabbi Oshry, the Rabbi of Kovno, how he could recite the daily blessing, “Blessed are You, Who has not made me a sla...

i-Thank: Morning Blessings

Morning Blessings-Elokai, Neshama-Pesach

We read in Pirkei Avot, "Know from where you came (3:1)." These words are addressed to the soul, that it may know that it has come from the Upper World. “And reflect to where you are going.” These a...

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Morning Blessings-Pesach-Not A Slave
A pious Jew in the Kovno ghetto, compelled to do forced labor by the Nazis, asked Rabbi Oshry...
Morning Blessings-Elokai, Neshama-Pesach
We read in Pirkei Avot, "Know from where you came (3:1)." These words are addressed to the so...

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i-Sing: Songs of Praise

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Peuskei d’Zimrah-Nisan-Ata Hu-Part Three
Likewise, in my humble opinion, all of the selections that Jews are unable to complete, durin...
Peuskei d’Zimrah-Nisan-Ata Hu-Part Two
But what of the foods prohibited to us by the Torah, such as the forbidden species of cattle,...
Pesukei d’Zimrah-Nisan-Ata Hu-B'nei Yisaschar
When the Messiah comes, the Holy One will accept gifts from all the kingdoms except Edom, bec...

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i-Love: Shema

Shema-Pesach-True Service

Rabbi Safra was reciting the Shema when a man offered him a sum of money for something he wish to buy. The Rabbi was willing to sell it, but since he could not interrupt his recital of the Shema, he...

i-Love: Shema

Shema-Pesach-With Love

The Tzanzer Rebbe once broke down in tears. “It is known that a man may study the Torah,” he said, “lead a holy life and pray regularly and still belong to the Other Side. Perhaps, for all my learni...

i-Love: Shema

Shema-Ahavah Rabbah-Ahavat Olam-Bet Yosef

The 13th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Karo, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, Kesef Mishneh,and Magid Meisharim, (1488-1575). His first major work, the Beis Yosef is a comprehensive commentary o...

i-Love: Shema

Shema-Blessings-The Order of Nature-Ramban

The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe ben Nachman, the Ramban, (1194-1270). Born in Gerona, he remained there most of his life. He was a student of the Ramah (Rabbeinu Meir ha'Levi Abulefi...

i-Love: Shema

Shema-Blessings Evening-Changes Times-Ramban

The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe ben Nachman, the Ramban: After the Jubilee, there will be a renewal of all existence, for the Ten Sefirot will shine forth from the Ein Sof once more,...

i-Love: Shema

Shema-Only Truth Will Be Heard

The 8th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz: Two men came with a financial dispute to Rabbi Leib Koveler. The Rabbi said to them, “My father, the Rabbi of Neshchiz, taught me from...

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Shema-Pesach-True Service
Rabbi Safra was reciting the Shema when a man offered him a sum of money for something he wis...
Shema-Pesach-With Love
The Tzanzer Rebbe once broke down in tears. “It is known that a man may study the Torah,” he ...
Shema-Ahavah Rabbah-Ahavat Olam-Bet Yosef
The 13th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Yosef Karo, Beis Yosef, Shulchan Aruch, Kesef Mishn...

Shema-Blessings-The Order of Nature-Ramban
The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe ben Nachman, the Ramban, (1194-1270). Born in...
Shema-Blessings Evening-Changes Times-Ramban
The 11th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Moshe ben Nachman, the Ramban: After the Jubilee, t...
Shema-Only Truth Will Be Heard
The 8th of Nisan is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Mordechai of Neshchiz: Two men came with a financial...

See all

i-Attach: Amidah

Amidah-Redemption-Pesach

A prince became incensed at his son's conduct and exiled him to an unfriendly country. There he was persecuted as an alien and was granted no opportunity for a livelihood. And ambassador of the Prin...

i-Attach: Amidah

Amidah-Redemption of Torah-Pesach

When redemption comes at last, the Torah will appear to us as if it were entirely new, unlike the Torah we know. For then it will be comprehended by all mankind by virtue of the Light of God which w...

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Amidah-Redemption-Pesach
A prince became incensed at his son's conduct and exiled him to an unfriendly country. There ...
Amidah-Redemption of Torah-Pesach
When redemption comes at last, the Torah will appear to us as if it were entirely new, unlike...

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i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Six

“God is a Master of war (Exodus 15:3).” God is not like a King of flesh and blood, for the flesh and blood enters war with many soldiers, and when he goes to make peace, brings just a few with him....

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Five: Before the World

“This is my Lord and I will glorify Him.” Rabbi Yossi says, this means that, “I will speak of the beauty and praises of the One, Who spoke and brought the world into being, before all the nations of...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Four: A Promise To Accompany

The Sages say, “This is my Lord and I will glorify Him,” “v-anveihu,” should be read, “alvenhu,” I will escort Him, until I enter His Temple with Him. This can be compared to a King who journeyed ac...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Three: The Blessing of Being Able To Sing

Rabbi Berachiah said: Come and see how privileged were those who went down into the Sea; How much did Moshe have to plead to “see” God, until he saw God’s Image, as it is written, “Show me Your Glor...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Two: Infinite Song

The Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, Blessed is He, “Master of the Universe! We do not sing this Shirah only for the miracles You have performed for us, but for all the miracles You ...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph One “This”

“Rav Yehudah said in the name of Shmuel: Regarding the Song that is written in the Torah, it is clear that Moshe and the Israelites first recited it when they ascended from the Sea of Reeds. But reg...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain VI

Their gratitude did not lessen as the days increased:“Give thanks to God Who is good, for His kindness is forever!

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain V

Imagine a nation marching through the desert, convinced that their journey was a lesson to the world of God’s kindness and truth! Imagine being able to sing with them, not because of great miracles,...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain IV

If the people on the second, third, ...sixth day of their journey, could still sense the blessing that was expanding, they understood that they were not dependent on externals, but had developed the...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain III

Even as their journey extended from one day to the next, they were convinced that each step was not only filled with blessing, but actually offering them more:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain II

As their journey entered its second day they had to look into themselves to find the inspiration to look forward with expectation as they had when offering the Pesach, and marching into freedom. The...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain I

“The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration, and heartfelt gladness like one who walks with a flute, to come to the mountain of God, the Rock of Israel (Isaiah 30:29).” “Th...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VIII

We sing this final paragraph of the Hallel as if we too are marching out of Egypt into a future of Infinite Possibility; a song of Fifteen Steps corresponding to the Fifteen Steps of the Seder, whic...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VIII

We sing this final paragraph of Hallel as the Children of Israel sang as they offered the original Korban Pesach. They sang in stages: 1) Gratitude, 2) Their story and its lessons, 3) Their feelings...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VII

We sing this Hallel just as the Children of Israel sang their Hallel on the first morning of Pesach, when they began their journey to freedom. They had stood up to the world’s greatest power when th...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VII

We sing this paragraph as part of the Hallel that the Children of Israel sang as they were offering the original Korban Pesach. They understood that by offering an animal worshipped as a god by the ...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VI

We sing this Hallel just as the Children of Israel sang their Hallel on the first morning of Pesach, when they began their journey to freedom:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VI

We sing the sixth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing while offering the original Pesach Offering, the mitzvah that earned us the merit to be freed:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute V

We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey out of Egypt was exponentially greater than the song they sang as they offered the Pesach; it was an indi...

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration V

We sing the fifth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing while offering the original Pesach Offering, the mitzvah that earned us the merit to be freed:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute IV

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration IV

We sing the fourth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing while offering the original Pesach Offering, the mitzvah that earned us the merit to be freed:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute III

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration III

We sing the third paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing while offering the original Pesach Offering, the mitzvah that earned us the merit to be freed:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute II

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration II

We sing the second paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing while offering the original Pesach Offering, the mitzvah that earned us the merit to be freed:

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute I

i-Shine: Hallel

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration I

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Rav Kook: Paragraph Eight

“From the straits did I call upon God; God answered me with expansiveness.” There are many things that can inhibit a prayer, however one who imagines that he has mastered any possible limitations, c...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Eight Part Two

“It is better to take refuge in God than to rely on man.” I heard from my Rebbi, the Gra, an explanation about the difference between “taking refuge,” and “trust.” Trust describes relying on a speci...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Eight Part One

“Give thanks to God for He is good; His kindness endures forever!” “From the straits did I call upon God; God answered me with expansiveness.” We can better understand these verses by looking to ano...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Five

“Return, my soul, to your rest; for God has been kind to you.” We are making a promise to our soul that it can return to its source after death in safety and security because, “God has been kind to ...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Three

“Not for us,” although we have described our ability to sing a Hallel that will connect all the way to the Ultimate Hallel, and we have described our ability to become active participants in creatio...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Two

“When Israel went out of Egypt,” referring to those who refused to change their names (Vayikra Rabbah 32:5). “The house of Jacob from a people who spoke a foreign language,” referring to those who...

i-Shine: Hallel

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph One

We find four forms of Hallel in the first paragraph: "Hallelukah! Give Hallel, you servants of God. Give Hallel to the Name of God!" “From the rising of the sun to its setting, God's Name is praised...

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Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Six
“God is a Master of war (Exodus 15:3).” God is not like a King of flesh and blood, for the f...
Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Five: Before the World
“This is my Lord and I will glorify Him.” Rabbi Yossi says, this means that, “I will speak of...
Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Four: A Promise To Accompany
The Sages say, “This is my Lord and I will glorify Him,” “v-anveihu,” should be read, “alvenh...

Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Three: The Blessing of Being Abl
Rabbi Berachiah said: Come and see how privileged were those who went down into the Sea; How ...
Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph Two: Infinite Song
The Congregation of Israel said before the Holy One, Blessed is He, “Master of the Universe! ...
Hallel as Shirah: Paragraph One “This”
“Rav Yehudah said in the name of Shmuel: Regarding the Song that is written in the Torah, it ...

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain VI
Their gratitude did not lessen as the days increased:“Give thanks to God Who is good, for His...
Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain V
Imagine a nation marching through the desert, convinced that their journey was a lesson to th...
Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain IV
If the people on the second, third, ...sixth day of their journey, could still sense the bles...

Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain III
Even as their journey extended from one day to the next, they were convinced that each step w...
Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain II
As their journey entered its second day they had to look into themselves to find the inspirat...
Hallel: Chol haMoed Pesach: Journey to the Mountain I
“The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration, and heartfelt gladness...

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VIII
We sing this final paragraph of the Hallel as if we too are marching out of Egypt into a futu...
Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VIII
We sing this final paragraph of Hallel as the Children of Israel sang as they offered the ori...
Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VII
We sing this Hallel just as the Children of Israel sang their Hallel on the first morning of ...

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VII
We sing this paragraph as part of the Hallel that the Children of Israel sang as they were of...
Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute VI
We sing this Hallel just as the Children of Israel sang their Hallel on the first morning of ...
Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration VI
We sing the sixth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing...

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute V
We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey ...
Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration V
We sing the fifth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing...
Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute IV
We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey ...

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration IV
We sing the fourth paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singin...
Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute III
We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey ...
Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration III
We sing the third paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singing...

Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute II
We can easily imagine that the joy of the song as the people gathered to begin their journey ...
Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration II
We sing the second paragraph as part of the song that will make us free, as if we were singin...
Hallel: First Day(s) Pesach: Walking with a Flute I
“The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration, and heartfelt gladness...

Hallel: Ma’ariv Pesach: Consecration I
“The Song will be yours like the night of the festival’s consecration, and heartfelt gladness...
Seder Hallel: Rav Kook: Paragraph Eight
“From the straits did I call upon God; God answered me with expansiveness.” There are many th...
Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Eight Part Two
“It is better to take refuge in God than to rely on man.” I heard from my Rebbi, the Gra, an ...

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Eight Part One
“Give thanks to God for He is good; His kindness endures forever!” “From the straits did I ca...
Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Five
“Return, my soul, to your rest; for God has been kind to you.” We are making a promise to our...
Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Three
“Not for us,” although we have described our ability to sing a Hallel that will connect all t...

Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph Two
“When Israel went out of Egypt,” referring to those who refused to change their names (Vayi...
Seder Hallel: Sha’ar HaRachamim: Paragraph One
We find four forms of Hallel in the first paragraph: "Hallelukah! Give Hallel, you servants o...

Psalm 27: The Light of the Future

“God is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.” (Psalm 27:1) When God said, “Let there be light” He created the light by which we search for Chametz on Erev Pesach – the night before Passover. When the verse says, “And there was light,” it refers to the light of Rosh Hashana. The Hebrew for “and there was light” is “Vayehi”, which is always associated with some pain. (Tikkunei Zohar, Tikkun 36)

The Vilna Gaon (Aderet Eliyahu) explains that “Yehi” is for the future, the “Vav” – the letter that adds the ‘and” – transforms the word into past tense. He describes this switch from the unlimited future into the limited past as painful.

When we focus on the approaching light of Rosh Hashana as being shed on the past; as a searchlight or even microscope examining and judging our past, we take the risk of transforming a “Yehi” into a “Vayehi” – from future to past – from infinite to limited – from joy to pain.

David rejoices over the future in this Psalm: He saw the world as “Yehi” a future of infinite possibility. That is exactly how we should appreciate the light of Rosh Hashana.

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