שְִׁל
נ וּ , ָל
ֵ ב וֹ דָכּ
psalm of the Hallel , Psalm 115 . The opening words are :
“ Not for us , Lord , not for us , but rather for the glory of Your name .”
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ֹ ֹ
ה '
,
ל
א
וָּל נ
|
,
ל
א
|
|
ְמ ,
תּ
ן
|
ִכּ
י
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Goldschmidt believed that the cathartic verses of anger were intentionally placed here as a preamble to Psalm 115 . And that juxtaposition , as we absorb not only October 7 but also the war in the ensuing months , conveys a very weighty and timely message : We are given leave to express our wrath at what the pre-messianic world can mete out , but then we are immediately reminded that the anger must translate itself into acts that are not about our aggrandizement or felt need for revenge , but solely to further the kind of world that gives testimony to God ’ s presence and purposes .
As the door opens this year , let us both testify to the truth of our shredded emotions , and yet work for the truth of God ’ s purposes for the world and its inhabitants .
Rabbi Gordon Tucker , PhD is the Vice Chancellor for Religious Life and Engagement at the Jewish Theological Seminary .
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