Image by Judy Kopelman (929)<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80890,"alt":"","title":"ps15-image","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","width":1024,"height":532,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-300x156.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":156,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-768x399.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":399,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-1024x532.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":532,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":532,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":532,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":532,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-808x420.jpg","home_baner-width":808,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Who Does What Is Right","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80890,"alt":"","title":"ps15-image","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","width":1024,"height":532,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-300x156.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":156,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-768x399.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":399,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-1024x532.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":532,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":532,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":532,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":532,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-image-808x420.jpg","home_baner-width":808,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"15","chapter_main_number":"582","date":"20271122","wall_id":"582"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":3,"id":"80897","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"What Constitutes A Virtuous Life? ","post_title":"What Constitutes A Virtuous Life?","slug":"what-constitutes-a-virtuous-life","old_id":"80897","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":62571,"post_title":"Yaakov Bieler","slug":"yaakov-bieler","old_id":"62571","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Bieler ","description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University in 1974. He has lectured and written extensively on Modern Orthodoxy, and blogs daily at https:\/\/yaakovbieler.wordpress.com ","short_description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":62572,"alt":"","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","width":141,"height":180,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler-141x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":141,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium-width":141,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium_large-width":141,"medium_large-height":180,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","large-width":141,"large-height":180,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","1536x1536-width":141,"1536x1536-height":180,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","2048x2048-width":141,"2048x2048-height":180,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","post_full_size-width":141,"post_full_size-height":180,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","home_baner-width":141,"home_baner-height":180}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"582","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"But who is capable of doing all these things? An intriguing answer from the insect world.\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"
The Psalm asks the age-old question: what in God\u2019s eyes constitutes a virtuous life? Although Jewish tradition is replete with commandments that govern our responsibilities both vis-\u00e0-vis God (<\/span>Mitzvot Bein Adam LeMakom<\/span><\/em>), as well as the appropriate manner in which to treat our fellow man (<\/span>Mitzvot Bein Adam LeChaveiro<\/span><\/em>), the specific examples that appear in this extremely short psalm all refer to the how we ought to relate to human beings, as opposed to the Divine.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Psalm 15 supports taking quite literally what Hillel says to the potential convert, upon being asked \u201cto be taught the entire Torah while \u2018standing on one foot\u2019:\u201d (Shabbat 31a) \u201c<\/span>That which is hateful to you do not do to another<\/span><\/em>;<\/em> that is the entire Torah, and the rest is its interpretation. Go study.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n There are many instances in the Rabbinic tradition when a sage gives one answer to an \u201coutsider,\u201d and quite a different response to his personal students (see e.g. Leviticus Rabbah 4:6; Numbers Rabbah 19:8; and Tanchumah, Parashat Chukat #26). I have wondered whether Hillel\u2019s interaction with this individual was another example of this \u201cdouble-sided\u201d phenomenon. However, Psalm 15 suggests that the aim of Judaism is indeed to produce a virtuous individual, and the program is deemed successful only when the qualities that the psalmist lists are in ample evidence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n However, the midrash suggests that the words of the psalm, rather than being reassuring to men and women who devote their lives to aspiring to virtue, could have just the opposite effect. It is notable that the erudite R. Akiva applies a derivation from overt ritual law to encourage his colleague with respect to Psalm 15:<\/span><\/p>\r\n When R. Gamliel would read this text, he would be reduced to tears. He said: Who is capable of doing all these things? However, when R. Akiva read these verses, he would laugh.\u00a0 But we are left with the question: did R. Akiva really believe what he was saying to R. Gamliel? Does it not matter?<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80898,"alt":"","title":"ps15-virtues","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","width":3000,"height":2000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"What Constitutes A Virtuous Life?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"But who is capable of doing all these things? An intriguing answer from the insect world.","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80898,"alt":"","title":"ps15-virtues","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","width":3000,"height":2000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1365,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-virtues-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"15","chapter_main_number":"582","date":"20271122","wall_id":"582"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"80893","color":"#efefef","size":"1","name":"The Essence of Torah ","post_title":"The Essence of Torah","slug":"the-essence-of-torah","old_id":"80893","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"582","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"From 613 down to 11...\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" The Talmud situates our psalm in the context of a discussion regarding the number of Torah commandments (Makkot 23 b, ff.). After stipulating their number as 613, it begins to argue for the drastic reduction of that number, stating: \u201cDavid came and set them at eleven,\u201d citing the balance of our psalm and identifying each of these characteristics with a biblical or talmudic personality, or with a particular moral attribute. We may rightly presume that the Talmud is not trying to eliminate mitzvot but to point to a larger purpose that their observance achieves; namely, the perfection of one\u2019s ethical and moral character:<\/span><\/p>\r\n He who lives without blame (Abraham), who does what is right (Abba Hilkiyahu), and in his heart acknowledges the truth (R. Safra); whose tongue is not given to evil (Jacob); who has never done harm to his fellow (\u201che who does not set up in opposition to his fellow craftsman\u201d), or borne reproach toward his neighbor (\u201che who befriends his near ones\u201d); for whom a contemptible man is abhorrent (King Hezekiah), but who honors those who fear the Lord (King Jehoshaphat); who stands by his oath even to his hurt (R. Yohanan); who has never lent money at interest\u00a0 (\u201cnot even from a heathen\u201d), or accepted a bribe against the innocent (R. Yishmael ben Yosi).<\/span><\/p>\r\n From eleven, the number is reduced to six (courtesy of Isaiah), three (Micah), two (again Isaiah), and, eventually: \u201cHabakkuk came and based them all on one principle: \u2018The righteous shall live by his faith\u2019\u201d (2:4).<\/span><\/p>\r\n To illustrate the quest for moral perfection, let us take an example from our psalm: the Talmud\u2019s identification of one \u201cwho has never lent money at interest\u201d (v.5) as: \u201cnot even from a heathen.\u201d If one merely refrained from taking interest from a fellow Jew, one would be observing a Torah commandment, which is certainly commendable, but no more so than the observance of other mitzvot. However, if one refrained from taking interest from a heathen\u2014which the Torah permits (Deut. 23:21)\u2014one is worthy of special acclaim for exceeding the Torah\u2019s minimum requirements.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80895,"alt":"","title":"ps15-shalt not","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","width":4239,"height":3286,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-300x233.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":233,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-768x595.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":595,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-1024x794.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":794,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1191,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1588,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-1200x930.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":930,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-542x420.jpg","home_baner-width":542,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Essence of Torah","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"From 613 down to 11...","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80895,"alt":"","title":"ps15-shalt not","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","width":4239,"height":3286,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-300x233.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":233,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-768x595.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":595,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-1024x794.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":794,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1191,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1588,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-1200x930.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":930,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-shalt-not-542x420.jpg","home_baner-width":542,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"15","chapter_main_number":"582","date":"20271122","wall_id":"582"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":5,"id":"80886","color":"#f2e9df","size":"1","name":"Who Can Climb The Holy Mountain? ","post_title":"Who Can Climb The Holy Mountain?","slug":"who-can-climb-the-holy-mountain","old_id":"80886","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"582","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Don\u2019t need to be superholy - just good, really good\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Psalm 15 begins with a seemingly insurmountable question. Who can live in God's tabernacle? Who can climb the holy mountain? Faced with these daunting questions, a person may fear that \u2018conquering\u2019 such major places as the Temple of God, and the holy mountain where God gave the Ten Commandments, would be an impossible task.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Yet David answers that doing so does not require a herculean effort or an unattainable level of holiness. All one needs is to lead an ethical moral life. One with integrity and free from bribes. The structure of this Psalm provides the very comfort that David promises. Do not be overwhelmed with the task at hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80887,"alt":"","title":"ps15-mountain climb","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","width":4000,"height":2248,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-1024x575.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":575,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":863,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1151,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-1200x674.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":674,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Who Can Climb The Holy Mountain?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Don\u2019t need to be superholy - just good, really good","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80887,"alt":"","title":"ps15-mountain climb","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","width":4000,"height":2248,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-300x169.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":169,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-768x432.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":432,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-1024x575.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":575,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":863,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1151,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-1200x674.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":674,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps15-mountain-climb-747x420.jpg","home_baner-width":747,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"15","chapter_main_number":"582","date":"20271122","wall_id":"582"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":6,"id":"80900","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Who Shall Dwell With God? ","post_title":"Who Shall Dwell With God?","slug":"who-shall-dwell-with-god","old_id":"80900","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"582","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"These ethical standards may also have been inscribed on tablets\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Our psalm details the behavior required of one who seeks to dwell with God: \u201cA psalm of David. Lord, who may sojourn in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? He who walks in innocence, who does what is right, and in his heart acknowledges the truth\u2026 One who does these shall never be shaken\u201d (<\/span>Psalms 15:1-5<\/span><\/a>, compare<\/span> Psalms 24:3-6<\/span><\/a>). Our psalm, which mentions the admission to God\u2019s \u201choly mountain\u201d, is traditionally recited in conjunction with<\/span> Parashat Kedoshim<\/span><\/a>, which begins with God commanding Moses: \u201cSpeak to the whole Israelite community and say to them: You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\r\n It has been suggested that our psalm preserves a liturgical text for recitation prior to entrance into the Temple (God\u2019s \u201cHoly Mountain\u201d) in Jerusalem. Significantly, the 3<\/span>rd<\/span> century BCE Jewish Septuagint preserves a superscription to our psalm using a Greek term <\/span>stelographia<\/em> <\/span>\u2013 \u201cinscribed on a tablet\u201d. This may suggest an early post-Biblical tradition that our psalm was inscribed on a tablet for recitation by those about to enter the Temple precincts.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Independent of the Septuagint superscription, it has been suggested that the behaviors detailed in our Psalm are organized as two sets of actions that can be visualized as five positive \u201cconditions\u201d set over against six negative \u201cconditions\u201d. This organization of Psalm 15 is illustrated by the table in<\/span> de Souza, \"A Reflection on Worship and Ethics in Psalm 15\"<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>Gamliel asked him: Why are you laughing?
\r\nHe said to him: See what the Torah says concerning \u201cswarming things:\u201d (Leviticus 11:43) \u201cYou shall not draw abomination upon yourselves through <\/span>everything <\/span><\/i>that swarms, you shall not make yourselves ritually impure therewith....\u201d One might think that one doesn\u2019t become ritually impure until he is contaminated by <\/span>all<\/span> of the various types of swarming things. Yet if an individual comes into contact with a single bean-size swarming thing, he is deemed ritually impure.
\r\n<\/span>God\u2019s desire to do good is 500 times greater than his inclination to punish. If touching a single bean-size swarming thing is considered equivalent to having had contact with all of them, doesn\u2019t it logically follow that if a person does a single aspect of one of the commandments listed in Psalm 15, he will be considered as if he has carried them all out? (Yalkut Shimoni, #665)
\r\n<\/span>Gamliel said to R. Akiva: You have comforted me. You have comforted me.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n