11^th of Tishrei, October 10, 2008

In Psalm 73, Assaf gives expression to the doubts and insecurity we experience as we travel through life.   "But as for me, my feet had almost turned away; but little and my steps [ashury] would have been [shufcha] poured out (v. 2)."   Rav Hirsch explains that Assaf is saying that he too had to overcome his doubts before he could understand the truth of the goodness that is G-D.   The word "ashury" refers to the firm stride that reflects resolve and determination.  Its opposite is the word "shufcha", meaning- "poured out like water".    Water’s movement is determined by the terrain over which it flows.  Assaf is therefore stating that his strides had lost their resoluteness and were guided by matters outside his control; he was passively swept along by trivial considerations.  When one has inner steadiness and innate steadfastness, one will not deviate from G-D’s path.

12^th of Tishrei, October 11, 2008

After expressing his near loss of conviction in G-D’s goodness, Assaf explains how he arrived at that spiritual crisis.  "For I envied those that seemed resplendent.  I saw the unclouded peace of the lawless (Psalm 73:3)."   Assaf envied the seeming prosperity and peace of the lawless; theirs was a life of ease and comfort.   He saw men without a spiritual center and moral compass living a life of tranquility and splendor.  And he began to doubt if the energy he invested in living a spiritual life was truly worthwhile.   It is only when he considers the end of days, the legacy left by the spiritually bereft, that he is able to comprehend who has true peace and prosperity.  "For behold, they that are far removed from You shall perish; You leave to make rigid all those that turn from You in faithlessness.  But as for me, G-D’s nearness is my good; I have put my trust in my Master, the Lord, Who proves His mercy in justice, that I may tell of Your works (v. 27-28)."

Shabbat Shalom