Everyday in this Jewish month of Elul we Practice Blowing the Shofar and read from Psalms. Hear the Shofar being blown and scroll down to read the Psalm for the day. Today is: Thursday, Elul 2, 5774 · August 28, 2014 TODAYS LAWS & CUSTOMS • ELUL OBSERVANCES As the last month of the Jewish year, Elul is traditionaly a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review ones deeds and spiritual progress over the past year and prepare for the upcoming Days of Awe of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. As the month of Divine Mercy and Forgiveness (see Today in Jewish History for Elul 1) it is a most opportune time for teshuvah (return to G-d), prayer, charity, and increased Ahavat Yisrael (love for a fellow Jew) in the quest for self-improvement and coming closer to G-d. Chassidic master Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi likens the month of Elul to a time when the king is in the field and, in contrast to when he is in the royal palace, everyone who so desires is permitted to meet him, and he receives them all with a cheerful countenance and shows a smiling face to them all. Specific Elul customs include the daily sounding of the shofar (rams horn) as a call to repentance. The Baal Shem Tov instituted the custom of reciting three additional chapters of Psalms each day, from the 1st of Elul until Yom Kippur (on Yom Kippur the remaining 36 chapters are recited, thereby completing the entire book of Psalms). Elul is also the time to have ones tefillin and mezuzot checked by an accredited scribe to ensure that they are in good condition and fit for use. Todays Psalm Chapter 4, 5, 6 Chapter 4 1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a psalm by David. 2. Answer me when I call, O God [Who knows] my righteousness. You have relieved me in my distress; be gracious to me and hear my prayer. 3. Sons of men, how long will you turn my honor to shame, will you love vanity, and endlessly seek falsehood? 4. Know that the Lord has set apart His devout one; the Lord will hear when I call to Him. 5. Tremble and do not sin; reflect in your hearts upon your beds, and be silent forever. 6. Offer sacrifices in righteousness, and trust in the Lord. 7. Many say: “Who will show us good?” Raise the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord. 8. You put joy in my heart, greater than [their joy] when their grain and wine abound. 9. In peace and harmony I will lie down and sleep, for You, Lord, will make me dwell alone, in security. Chapter 5 . For the Conductor, on the nechilot,1 a psalm by David. 2. Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my thoughts. 3. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray. 4. Lord, hear my voice in the morning; in the morning I set [my prayers] before you and hope. 5. For You are not a God Who desires wickedness; evil does not abide with You. 6. The boastful cannot stand before Your eyes; You hate all evildoers. 7. You destroy the speakers of falsehood; the Lord despises the man of blood and deceit. 8. And I, through Your abundant kindness, come into Your house; I bow toward Your holy Sanctuary, in awe of You. 9. Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness, because of my watchful enemies; straighten Your path before me. 10. For there is no sincerity in their mouths, their heart is treacherous; their throat is an open grave, [though] their tongue flatters. 11. Find them guilty, O God, let them fall by their schemes; banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against You. 12. But all who trust in You will rejoice, they will sing joyously forever; You will shelter them, and those who love Your Name will exult in You. 13. For You, Lord, will bless the righteous one; You will envelop him with favor as with a shield. Chapter 6 For the Conductor, with instrumental music for the eight-stringed harp, a psalm by David. 2. Lord, do not punish me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your wrath. 3. Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I languish away; heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble in fear. 4. My soul is panic-stricken; and You, O Lord, how long [before You help]? 5. Relent, O Lord, deliver my soul; save me for the sake of Your kindness. 6. For there is no remembrance of You in death; who will praise You in the grave? 7. I am weary from sighing; each night I drench my bed, I melt my couch with my tears. 8. My eye has grown dim from vexation, worn out by all my oppressors. 9. Depart from me, all you evildoers, for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping. 10. The Lord has heard my supplication; the Lord accepts my prayer. 11. All my enemies will be shamed and utterly terrified; they will then repent and be shamed for a moment. FOOTNOTES 1. Only for a moment will they be shamed, because I will forgive them and never again mention their deeds (Metzudot). https://youtube/watch?v=pb0A_cPlHlk
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:36:34 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015