{"id":86928,"date":"2021-01-18T23:35:37","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T21:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=86928"},"modified":"2021-01-18T23:35:37","modified_gmt":"2021-01-18T21:35:37","slug":"plague-song","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/plague-song\/","title":{"rendered":"Plague Song"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Our psalm begins without any superscription by apparently addressing one who enters the Sanctuary: \u201cO you who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the protection of Shaddai\u201d (<\/span>91:1<\/span><\/a>). The worshipper is promised, here and in what follows, the divine protection of God (<\/span>Shaddai<\/span><\/em>). From the repetition of the word <\/span>dever<\/span><\/em> in<\/span> verse 3<\/span><\/a> and in<\/span> verse 6<\/span><\/a> it would seem that what is referred to is protection from \u201cplague.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Indeed,<\/span> Talmud Bavli Shevuot 15b<\/span><\/a> refers to our psalm as the \u201csong of plagues (<\/span>shir shel nega\u2019im<\/span><\/em>)\u201d (see<\/span> verse 10<\/span><\/a>) or the \u201csong of evil spirits (<\/span>shir shel pega\u2019im<\/span><\/em>)\u201d (<\/span>based on verse 7<\/span><\/a>), reflecting the widespread belief that plagues were caused by<\/span> demons<\/span><\/a>. This Talmudic discussion goes on to prescribe the recitation of our psalm from<\/span> verse 1 to verse 10<\/span><\/a>. In the continuation there, it is recorded that Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi would recite these verses to protect him from evil spirits during the night and fall asleep while saying them. Indeed, our Psalm is recited on\u00a0 <\/span>various occasions to this day,<\/span><\/a> including<\/span> the Recitation of the Shema at Bedtime<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to<\/span> Deuteronomy Rabbah 6:6<\/span><\/a>: There is a demon (<\/span>maziq<\/span><\/em>) who shoots forth like an arrow and sweeps along like a bird. From where in Scripture do we know this? From what is said: \u201cYou need not fear the terror by night, or the arrow that flies by day\u201d (<\/span>91:5<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Numbers Rabbah 12:3<\/span><\/a> preserves a more extensive interpretation of our Psalm: \u201cO you who dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the protection of Shaddai. I say of the Lord, my refuge and stronghold, my God in whom I trust\u201d (<\/span>91:1-2<\/span><\/a>).This \u201cpsalm of plagues\u201d was recited by Moses when he ascended Mount Sinai and was afraid of the demons (<\/span>maziqim<\/span><\/em> who tried to prevent Moses from receiving the Torah)\u2026.The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: You have trusted in Me, so I will stand by you. \u201cHe [God] will save you\u2026from the destructive plague\u201d (<\/span>verse 3<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 from the plague that brings destruction to the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will find refuge under His wings. His faithfulness is a shield and buckler\u201d (<\/span>verse 4<\/span><\/a>). If one comes to take refuge beneath His wings, the Holy One, blessed be He, will be for him a \u201cshield and buckler\u201d (<\/span>tzinah ve-soherah<\/span><\/em>). The Holy One, blessed be He, says: I shall forge a weapon (za<\/em><\/span>yin<\/span><\/em>) for all who \u201ctrade\u201d (<\/span>soher<\/span><\/em>, i.e. engage) in the truth of the Torah.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPlague that stalks in the darkness\u201d (<\/span>verse 6<\/span><\/a>) \u2013 this suggests one whose deeds are \u201cin darkness\u201d, plague will overcome him\u2026\u201cFor you, O Lord, have made your habitation on high my heavenly refuge\u201d (<\/span>verse 9<\/span><\/a>). Israel said to the Holy One, blessed be He: You have given us the Torah here below, but your <\/span>Shechinah<\/span><\/em> abides on high. Because God has made His habitation our refuge: \u201cNo harm will befall you, no disease touch your tent\u201d (<\/span>verse 10<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":86929,"id":86929,"title":"ps91-plagues demons","filename":"ps91-plagues-demons.png","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/ps91-plagues-demons.png","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/plague-song\/ps91-plagues-demons\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"ps91-plagues-demons","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":86928,"date":"2021-01-18 21:35:20","modified":"2023-01-01 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