27^th of Cheshvan, November 25, 2008

When confronted with his own depression and sense of disconnection from G-D, the psalmist offers us his solution.  "Then I pondered the days of antiquity, years of ancient times.  I recalled the song of my lyre in a night such as this; I conversed with my heart and my mind began to brood (Psalm 77:6-7)."   The psalmist revisits the days past, the years when he did feel supported and sustained by G-D.   He recalls the song of his lyre, which he played in times of joy in days gone by.   Music is a stimulus for memory and may act as a mood elevator.   In recalling his previously happy moments and remembering the music played, he is able to transcend his current hopelessness and paralysis.   

Copyright, 2008 Rachel Lerner