Jan 2, 2008
Posted on Jan 2, 2008 in Nusach, Prayer | 2 comments
For anyone who is interested, our congregation put together a version of the Ashrei in English sung to a Chassidic melody. In my opinion, it’s really nice. We chant it in our congregation and in our home during the appointed times of prayer.
Special thanks are due to both Sarah Croswell for putting together the initial draft of the English to the melody, and to my loving wife, Sabrina, for all of her hard work in helping me get the melody and creating the lyric sheet.
I’ve attached both the lyric sheet (which includes notes about how to remember the melody, including marking the downbeat) and an mp3 of yours truly demonstrating the melody. I hope you enjoy. (ps. I’ve got a few more things like this that will probably show up soon.)
Right-click (pc) or Control-click (mac!) to download: (links have been fixed!)
Nov 7, 2007
Posted on Nov 7, 2007 in Apostolic Writings, Judaism, Prayer | 0 comments
For a few weeks now, the topic of wisdom has been on my mind. I have a good friend whom I just started doing some “formal” mentoring (ie. meeting on a regular basis for this specific purpose), and one of his main goals in life is to attain wisdom. This is a very noble goal, and one that I know he will (and already has begun to) achieve.
It seems that wisdom is an often desired middah (character trait), yet few know the secret of attaining this seemingly elusive trait.
Last week, as I was praying the daily Amidah, it occurred to me that both the mainstream of Judaism and the Apostolic Writings agreed by way of Hashem’s attitude towards His dispensation of wisdom.
You graciously endow man with wisdom and teach insight to a frail mortal. Endow us graciously from Yourself with wisdom, insight, and discernment. Blessed are You, Hashem, gracious Giver of wisdom.
(Daily Amidah)
This prayer makes use of the word “gracious” (from the Hebrew חן – chen) three times. It emphasizes that Hashem desires to freely give wisdom to all to ask. This, of course, corresponds to the words of Shlomo (Solomon) which state,
“I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Mishlei/Proverbs 8:17).
“She [wisdom] will set a garland of grace [חן] on your head and present you with a crown of splendor” (Mishlei/Proverbs 4:9).
Hashem desires to give us wisdom “graciously”—freely, without reservation. However, we must first pursue wisdom and solicit Hashem for this precious gift. Ja’acov (James), the brother of the Master, gives us explicit instructions for seeking wisdom which corresponds with both the prayer from the Amidah and the words of Proverbs, saying:
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
(James 1:5-8)
If we seek wisdom, it is waiting to be received. But it doesn’t come uninvited. If wisdom has always been elusive, honestly ask Hashem for it and expect to receive it. No, you won’t wake up one morning and start spouting off the Pythagorean theorem1 like the Scarecrow on the Wizard of Oz (knowledge and wisdom are not synonymous). However, when that next difficult situation comes up, you will feel more confident in making the right decision with your newfound gift, graciously given by Hashem.
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
(Mishlei/Proverbs 4:7)
1 An interesting side note not related to my topic whatsoever is that in the Wizard of Oz, the Scarecrow actually misquotes the theorem.
Aug 22, 2007
Posted on Aug 22, 2007 in Apostolic Writings, Minhag, Prayer | 1 comment
We have a mid-week study by which we are going through Torah Club Volume 4 (available through FFOZ – it is a year-long study through the Gospels, plus Acts). This week’s study was on Acts 10-12. In it Peter has his encounter with Cornelius and his household. When Peter recounts his experience with Cornelius to the elders at Jerusalem, their response is recorded as follows:
“When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”
- Acts 11:18 -
Daniel Lancaster, in his commentary, makes note that this sounds as if it could be formulated into a beracha (blessing):
Blessed are You, Oh L-rd, our G-d, King of the Universe Who has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.
I propose that for non-Jewish, Messianic believers, we substitute this blessing in place of the second blessing of the 15 Blessings recited during Shacharit (based on Berachot 60b). We definitely cannot say the standard blessing, “Blessed are You, Adonai, our G-d, King of the universe, for not having made me a gentile.” We can, however, thank Hashem for who He has made us: Gentiles who have repented unto life. I propose our blessing be as follows:
Blessed are You, Adonai, our G-d, King of the Universe Who has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.
Jul 5, 2007
Posted on Jul 5, 2007 in Prayer | 0 comments
A friend asked me about getting a transliterated copy of the Ashrei. I searched the net and didn’t find anything I liked, so I created one with parallel text in both the original Hebrew and transliterated into English. You can download it via the link below. Let me know if it comes in handy.
» Ashrei transliterated (PDF format)
Jul 27, 2006
Posted on Jul 27, 2006 in Israel, Prayer | 1 comment
For the convenience of those who are faithfully praying for Israel, I have posted the recommended Prayers for Israel in PDF (Adobe Reader) format. Feel free to download it and pass it along. It includes the 4 chapters of Psalms and the prayer for the hostages from the Chief Rabbi of Israel.
Update: Link to PDF has been fixed. Thanks to Aaron Sperry for the notification.
