Reflections on Psalm 32 - Psalm Two of the Tikkun HaClali
Reflections on Psalm 32 - Psalm Two of the Tikkun HaClali
Discernment is the heart of wisdom.
Absolutism is a snare. As Kenny Rogers put it, “you have to know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away and know when to run.” Only a fool does the exact same thing at every turn in a card game, and so too in life.
When we are faced with suffering, as we inevitably are, we have many options - resistance, acceptance, rage, self-pity and many more. Our foolish hearts often throw themselves away at the first path to present itself, but that is rarely the path we need.
How can we be discerning about which path to follow?
In Psalm 32, the second of the ten Psalms that make up the Tikkun HaClali, the Psalmist lists those who are happy, one of whom is “those whose rebellion is lifted up.” (אַשְׁרֵי נְשׂוּי-פֶּשַׁע)
What might it mean to “lift up” our rebellion?
Sometimes we are truly rebels without a cause, struggling against the flow of life and against our own true nature for no apparent reason. Other times we wisely rebel against fates that can be overcome - illnesses that can be reversed with medicine, ignorance that can be vanquished with education, poverty that can be overcome with effort.
The Pslamist hears the voice of the Holy One saying “I will grant you success and I will show you the way that you shall go; I will guide you with My Eye.” It is perhaps the wisest prayer to ask for the guidance on the way we should go, to hope for discernment worthy of a Divine Eye. It's a wise heart, not a foolish one, that can lift up its own rebellion against reality and know when to hold on and play your cards, when to fold a hand, when to walk away and when to run.
Thu, March 28 2024
18 Adar II 5784
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Thursday ,
MarMarch 28 , 2024Listening to our Hearts on Israel and Palestine
Thursday, Mar 28th 6:00p to 8:00p
Every member of BHA has a voice that matters, and we need to be able to talk and listen to each other, not talk past each other, either in person or online. This is one of a series of highly structured conversations to share what is on your hearts regarding the war in Israel and Palestine in a safe and non-polarized setting. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 29 , 2024Mini Minyan Led By Luke Wygodny
Friday, Mar 29th 5:30p to 6:00p
Mini Minyan (for ages 2-12) is a service for welcoming Shabbat with song and dance that is led by our Music Director Luke Wygodny. -
Friday ,
MarMarch 29 , 2024Potluck Shabbat Dinner & Kabbalat Shabbat at BHA Led by Luke Wygodny
Friday, Mar 29th 6:00p to 8:00p
Please join us for a pot-luck Shabbat dinner in the BHA common room. We will communally clean our space in anticipation of lighting the Shabbat candles followed by Kabbalat Shabbat services led by Luke Wygodny. -
Wednesday ,
AprApril 3 , 2024Morning Minyan at BHA and on Zoom
Wednesday, Apr 3rd 8:45a to 10:00a
Whether you have been davvening with tallis and tefillin for years or you don’t know how to say those words you just read, come and be part of this most intimate of Jewish liturgical moments! BHA Members will lead services at BHA and on Zoom -
Wednesday ,
AprApril 3 , 2024Masa LASS Class - 5th Grade & Up
Wednesday, Apr 3rd 4:30p to 6:00p
Learn Shabbat Service Prayers.