The Tanakh Podcast

They say, “Let us wipe them out as a nation;Israel’s name will be mentioned no more.” (v.5) This is the oldest hatred. The attempt at a Final Solution. The genocidal ambitions of generations of enemies who we now call Anti-Semites. The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same.

When the forces of law and justice become corrupt, then society falls apart.

This is the Psalm that we recite every Thursday. It begins with 6 verses of joy. Then it turns to rebuke. What causes the stark turn in the chapter?

The Tribes of Ephraim Menashe and Binyamin are compared to a vine whose walls have been broken down and wild animals enter, eating the grapes, trampling the vine. This is the state of Israel after invasion and defeat by foreign forces. All that is left is to cry to God. In this class we contrast this chapter with another allegory of a vine in Isaiah ch.5 and we draw some conclusions about the role of prophecy vs. Tehillim - the human voice. Closing music - MBD - Habeit

What do you say to God when the Temple lies ruined before you and carnage surrounds in every direction? This Psalm gives us an insider view of the immediate response to the Hurban. Music. The Portnoy Brothers

Our chapter is a historical review, expressing God's power kindness and forbearance, and Israel's waywardness and non-adherence to God's covenant. But why do we tell history? Is this merely about religious preaching? We will speak about a political agenda woven into the start and end of the chapter.

What do we remember? What do we forget? The first half of this chapter is about Exile and God's abandonment of Israel. The second half of the mizmor is about victory, redemption and Divine salvation. Which is the dominant memory? Music. Shotei Hanevua - Kol Galgal (see verse 19)

How do we effectively work towards world peace? How do we encourage society away from resorting to self-interest, violence and ugly opportunism, and more to altruism, justice and integrity? Our chapter describes God achieving the ideal regime, the perfect world order. But it arrives only as a result of a long process , only after exerting a significant degree of intimidation, fear and violence.

This chapter speaks in God's name, promising destruction to the evil, vain and violent elements in the world.

This Psalm reflacts the dismay and bewilderment of the Exile and Temple's destruction: - God! - What about the covenant? - God! - Can't You hear them blaspheming and mocking You? - God! - Have You abandoned Your people? - God! - Where is the power of Creation, of the Exodus? This is a bold, protest Psalm that expresses paradoxically deep faith in the Jewish narrative of history.