The Shabbat of Chanukah is here. When we left Joseph last week, he was in the dungeon. This week, Joseph gets lifted up from the dungeon and becomes Pharaoh\u2019s right-hand man, second to Pharaoh \u201cin throne only\u201d (Gen. 41:40). All this because Joseph listens to Pharaoh\u2019s dreams, predicts seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine, and (slyly?) advises Pharaoh to seek out a wise person to carry out a plan.<\/p>\r\n
The outlines of the plan are common sense: store up grain each year during the years of abundance, and redistribute that grain during the years of famine (Gen. 41:34-36). Next week, however, we will learn the specifics. After there was no bread left in Egypt, the Egyptian peasants used up all their money to buy grain from what Joseph had stored up. When that was gone, they gave up their animals, and finally, they gave up themselves and their land, becoming slaves to Pharaoh (Gen. 47:13-23).<\/p>\r\n
Why couldn\u2019t Joseph distribute the grain for free to them, so that he could have saved not only life, but also dignity and hope?<\/p>\r\n
Joseph\u2019s final policy was also the final blow against dignity. He removed Egypt\u2019s peasant families from the lands their ancestors had farmed, transferring them from \u201cone extreme of Egypt\u2019s border to its (other) extreme\u201d (Gen 47:21). Their connection to the land was broken; now everyone worked on land that they had only ever known only as belonging to Pharaoh.<\/p>\r\n
Rabbi Arthur Waskow pointed out in Godwrestling<\/em> that Joseph did the reverse of what Shmita teaches. Joseph understood Pharaoh\u2019s dreams as Egypt\u2019s fate: \u201cThere will be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine.\u201d<\/p>\r\n But if we look at Pharaoh\u2019s dreams as prophecy rather than fate, their message changes: \u201cIf you sow without taking a break, you will have seven years of abundance, then seven years of famine.\u201d Instead, let the land lie fallow in the seventh year.<\/p>\r\n What Joseph did was Shmita\u2019s antithesis. In the Shmita system. the land was distributed equally among all the Israelite families. After the seventh Shmita, in the fiftieth or Jubilee year, even if you had lost your land, your family got it back. There was also no permanent debt or slavery. After the Shmita year, debts were canceled (Deut. 15:1-2). If debt nevertheless forced any Israelite to sell themselves into slavery or service, they had a right to go free after seven years, with full compensation (Deut. 15:12-15).<\/p>\r\n Shmita brings freedom, for people and for land. Joseph\u2019s plan led to feudalism, to a fascist state, where the next Pharaoh could cast the Israelites into slavery, and enlist his people (his other slaves) to kill the Israelites\u2019 baby boys.<\/p>\r\n Therein lies a basic lesson of Shmita: You can\u2019t deprive other people or the land of their freedom in order to preserve your own. Joseph thought he could, enslaving the rest of Egypt while he kept his family well-fed in Goshen. The next Pharaoh, the one who didn\u2019t know Joseph, also thought he could. His punishment, or rather, his consequence, was that he lost his own freedom when God hardened his heart.<\/p>\r\n It\u2019s a lesson we all need to learn \u2013 and soon. Because we still have the freedom to avert the course of climate change by choosing to live differently \u2013 if we give freedom to the land and support freedom for all peoples. Soon enough, we will no longer have that choice.<\/p>\r\n This year is the shmita year: Shmita means a sabbatical year for the Earth but also for ourselves, our communities, and our world. Each week we continue to share thoughts on how the weekly parsha can help guide our thinking around shmita themes of work and rest, wealth and debt, responsible land use, fair labor practices, private and public property ownership, and physical and spiritual revitalization.<\/em><\/p>\r\n See here for more information on the Hazon Shmita project, and its blogs.<\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"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":"A Weekly Series: The \"Shmitah Parasha\" Blog","tile_main_caption":"Mikketz: Learning From Joseph's Mistakes","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"in conjunction with Hazon.org","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81608,"alt":"","title":"shmita","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","width":711,"height":708,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","medium_large-width":711,"medium_large-height":708,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","large-width":711,"large-height":708,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","1536x1536-width":711,"1536x1536-height":708,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","2048x2048-width":711,"2048x2048-height":708,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita.jpg","post_full_size-width":711,"post_full_size-height":708,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/shmita-422x420.jpg","home_baner-width":422,"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":"I Chronicles","chapter":false,"chapter_main_number":false,"date":false,"wall_id":"1177"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"42542","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"A Real Chanukah Bush!","post_title":"A Real Hanukkah Bush!","slug":"a-real-chanukah-bush","old_id":"42542","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34235,"post_title":"Marc Gitler","slug":"marc-gitler","old_id":"34235","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Gitler","description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, a recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and earned an MPA from NYU . The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. He used to work for 929 North America.\r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, founder of Fast for Feast, lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34236,"alt":"","title":"Marc Gitler","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","width":407,"height":407,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","medium_large-width":407,"medium_large-height":407,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","large-width":407,"large-height":407,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","1536x1536-width":407,"1536x1536-height":407,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","2048x2048-width":407,"2048x2048-height":407,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","post_full_size-width":407,"post_full_size-height":407,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","home_baner-width":407,"home_baner-height":407}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"75","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Salvia palaestina - the Menorah plant - in Jewish art, worship and history","post_main_content_content":" Some two thousand years ago, during the era of the Hasmoneans, the menorah, became a prominent symbol of the eternity Jewish people and its connection to the land of Israel. \u00a0The staying power of the symbol is evidenced by the menorah outside the Knesset, with its detailed bronze reliefs depicting important Jewish events and personalities ranging from the Biblical period through the founding of the state of Israel. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n The menorah\u2019s description in the Torah is also detailed, but surprisingly in its botanical design. All six of the outer <\/span>branches<\/span> were designed with \u201cthree cups shaped like <\/span>almond-blossoms<\/span>, each with <\/span>knobs <\/span>and <\/span>petals<\/span>.\u201d The middle branch contained four almond-blossoms also with the knobs and petals.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Commentaries throughout the ages have attempted to draw descriptions of the Menorah, were the branches curved, straight or bent in the middle? Where exactly were the calyxes? The only clue, perhaps, the relief on the arch of Titus in Rome depicting the Romans carrying the menorah in the period following the destruction of the Second Temple.<\/span><\/p>\r\n In the early 20<\/span>th<\/span> century botanists Ephraim and Hannah Hareuveni emigrated from Russia to Israel. They believed that the plants in the Torah could be found growing in Israel, and they began collecting and classifying Biblical plants. In their searches they noticed a resemblance between the Torah\u2019s description of the Menorah (branches, calyxes, petals, and cups) and an oily plant that grows in Israel called the salvia palaestina.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Their son Nogah Hareuveni writes that when the salvia is pressed it looks just like the Menorah, with three branches emerging from the central branch, and the knobs growing directly from the stem and branches.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Following the description of the menorah Moses is told \u201cnote well and follow the patterns that you see on the mountain.\u201d The Talmud in tractate Menachot writes that Moses didn\u2019t understand the design of the Menorah, so God showed him a picture of it in fire. If the menorah\u2019s design reflects a plant that is endemic to Israel, then Moses would have never seen one, and found its design incomprehensible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n After reading of Reuveni\u2019s discovery I am also no longer perplexed by the Menorah\u2019s design, but I am searching for a pressed salvia palaestina to display as my \u201cHanukkah bush\u201d right next to my menorah.<\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Cover photo by Prof Avinoam Denin:<\/span> http:\/\/flora.org.il\/en\/books\/plant-stories-2\/chapter-n\/useful_plants_n1<\/span><\/a><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":42543,"alt":"","title":"50511-268x400","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","width":268,"height":400,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400-201x300.jpeg","medium-width":201,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","medium_large-width":268,"medium_large-height":400,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","large-width":268,"large-height":400,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","1536x1536-width":268,"1536x1536-height":400,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","2048x2048-width":268,"2048x2048-height":400,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","post_full_size-width":268,"post_full_size-height":400,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","home_baner-width":268,"home_baner-height":400}},"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":"A Real Hanukkah Bush!","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Salvia palaestina - the Menorah plant - in Jewish art, worship and history","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42543,"alt":"","title":"50511-268x400","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","width":268,"height":400,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400-150x150.jpeg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400-201x300.jpeg","medium-width":201,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","medium_large-width":268,"medium_large-height":400,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","large-width":268,"large-height":400,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","1536x1536-width":268,"1536x1536-height":400,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","2048x2048-width":268,"2048x2048-height":400,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","post_full_size-width":268,"post_full_size-height":400,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/50511-268x400.jpeg","home_baner-width":268,"home_baner-height":400}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Cover photo by Prof Avinoam Denin: http:\/\/flora.org.il\/en\/books\/plant-stories-2\/chapter-n\/useful_plants_n1\/","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":"","old_create_date":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Torah","book":"Exodus","chapter":"25","chapter_main_number":"75","date":"20251211","wall_id":"75"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"360","name":"Nature\/Environment","old_id":"760"},{"term_id":"672","name":"Menorah","old_id":"1072"}]},{"order":3,"id":"79238","color":"#efefef","size":"2","name":"Not By Might, Not By Power ","post_title":"Not By Might, Not By Power","slug":"not-by-might-not-by-power","old_id":"79238","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":"554","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Shalom!\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Our chapter preserves the fifth vision of Zechariah. An angel shows the Prophet a lampstand all of gold on which are seven lamps (Zechariah 4:2). When Zechariah asks what these things mean, the angel replies with a memorable expression: \u201cNot by might and not by power, but by My spirit \u2013 said the Lord of Hosts\u201d (4:6). This verse has been the inspiration of song writers in our day. These include the baritone conductor Elliot Z. Levine,<\/span> who set to music the verse sung in Hebrew and English<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\r\n The renowned singer-songwriter, <\/span>Debbie Friedman<\/span><\/a>, who passed away in 2011, employs this verse in the refrain of a song, in which she elaborates on the passionately sung expression \u201c<\/span>Not by might and not by power<\/span><\/a>\u201d. This song may be seen as a modern musical midrash, the lyrics of which may be read as a poetic plea for peace:<\/span><\/p>\r\n Not by might and not by power,<\/span> The children sing<\/span> And another song will rise<\/span> Not by might and not by power,<\/span> Not by might!<\/span> <\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/XJLZfrw86Ws?t=148","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"For Shabbat Chanukah","tile_main_caption":"Not By Might, Not By Power","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Shalom!","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/XJLZfrw86Ws?t=148","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":"Prophets","book":"Zechariah","chapter":"4","chapter_main_number":"554","date":"20271013","wall_id":"554"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"79218","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Hope Prevails ","post_title":"Hope Prevails","slug":"hope-prevails","old_id":"79218","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":47905,"post_title":"Natasha Mann","slug":"natasha-mann","old_id":"47905","first_name":"Natasha ","last_name":"Mann ","description":"Rabbi Natasha Mann serves as a rabbi at New London Synagogue and Hatch End\/Mosaic Masorti. Natasha hails from the grassy hills of Hertfordshire, England, and has spent most of her adult life between Los Angeles and the Holy City of Jerusalem. Natasha has worked in Jewish education and the non-profit world, promoting better education and legislation on human trafficking issues. ","short_description":"Rabbi Natasha Mann serves as a rabbi at New London Synagogue and Hatch End\/Mosaic Masorti.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":47906,"alt":"","title":"natasha mann","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169.jpg","width":735,"height":954,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169-231x300.jpg","medium-width":231,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-768x568.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":568,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-1024x757.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":757,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169.jpg","1536x1536-width":735,"1536x1536-height":954,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169.jpg","2048x2048-width":735,"2048x2048-height":954,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-1200x887.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":887,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/natasha-mann-e1548150986169-324x420.jpg","home_baner-width":324,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"553","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Our ability to move on is literally central to the story\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" This chapter details another of Zechariah\u2019s visions. It is possible to read Zechariah\u2019s dreams as numbering eight distinct visions, forming a chiastic structure (in which the pattern reflects back on itself, e.g. \u2018A B B A\u2019). Reading Zechariah\u2019s visions as a chiasm gives us this:<\/span><\/p>\r\n This structure is of particular interest now for two reasons. First, in a chiastic structure, it is often the middle of the chiasm that is considered the highlighted section. For our purposes, this is chapters three and four. Second, it implies a relationship between this chapter and the next.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Our vision of the heavenly court features the character of Joshua, who is to be the High Priest in the newly-built Temple. The charge is aimed toward Joshua, whose role is paramount in the era to come, and the chapter is completed with a message of future peace and serenity. Similarly, the vision of the menorah in chapter 4 will be focused on the character of the governor Zerubbavel, and it too comes with a deeply messianic undertone. The implication of placing these visions at the centre of the chiasm is that Zechariah\u2019s underlying message is one of hope of future restoration.<\/span><\/p>\r\n The vision of this chapter brings us to a significant moment in return from exile. The Israelites are ready to resume service in the rebuilt Temple. The prophet describes a vision of a heavenly scene in which the angels are arguing about the next High Priest. Standing as Joshua\u2019s accuser is Satan. Another angel stands at Joshua\u2019s defence. Joshua is clothed in filthy garments. Satan argues that Joshua is unfit to serve as High Priest, because he is covered in sin (represented by the filthy garments). In response to this argument, the Divine says: \u2018Is this one not a brand plucked from fire?\u2019 Joshua, the Divine seems to be arguing, was brought here out of Babylonian exile, a place of oppression and abuse. The angels then help Joshua to change into clean clothing, and the Holy One tells Joshua that if he follows in God\u2019s ways, he will be able to serve in the Temple.<\/span><\/p>\r\n This is a fascinating scene to serve as a centerpoint for Zechariah\u2019s visions, folded between stories of exile and doom. Joshua wears the worst of Israelite society, the elements which deemed them unworthy of redemption. However, Joshua is defended, and is able to move on from the wrongdoings that had previously trapped him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Hope is not gone, the story reminds us: we can shed the filthy garments. <\/span> Image by Michal Ben Hamu<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":79219,"alt":"","title":"zech3-joshua","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":683,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":683,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":683,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-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":"For Shabbat Chanukah","tile_main_caption":"Hope Prevails","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Our ability to move on is literally central to the story","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":79219,"alt":"","title":"zech3-joshua","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","width":1024,"height":683,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","1536x1536-width":1024,"1536x1536-height":683,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","2048x2048-width":1024,"2048x2048-height":683,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua.jpg","post_full_size-width":1024,"post_full_size-height":683,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech3-joshua-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":"Prophets","book":"Zechariah","chapter":"3","chapter_main_number":"553","date":"20271012","wall_id":"553"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":5,"id":"79247","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"The Day Of Small Things ","post_title":"The Day Of Small Things","slug":"the-day-of-small-things","old_id":"79247","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":73524,"post_title":"Yaakov Beasley","slug":"yaakov-beasley","old_id":"73524","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Beasley ","description":"Yaakov Beasley is the Tanakh Coordinator at Yeshivat Hesder Lev haTorah, the host of the TanachTalks podcast, and the author of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah: Lights in the Valley (Maggid Press, 2020). ","short_description":"Yaakov Beasley is the Tanakh Coordinator at Yeshivat Hesder Lev haTorah, podcast host and author. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":73525,"alt":"","title":"yaakov beasley","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","width":409,"height":484,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley-254x300.jpg","medium-width":254,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","medium_large-width":409,"medium_large-height":484,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","large-width":409,"large-height":484,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","1536x1536-width":409,"1536x1536-height":484,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","2048x2048-width":409,"2048x2048-height":484,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley.jpg","post_full_size-width":409,"post_full_size-height":484,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/yaakov-beasley-355x420.jpg","home_baner-width":355,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"554","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The antidote to paralyzing negativity\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" Having reassured Zechariah that the high priest Joshua is worthy to serve in the Temple, despite the personal imperfections that plagued him and his family, now God describes the building of the new Temple. The vision is a lampstand that received oil for its lamps from two olive trees. Again, the angel turns to Zechariah and asks him if he understands what he sees, to which Zechariah answers in the negative. The angel explains that the message is that this time, the work that has to be done is not through human agency, but through God's spirit. Through it, the obstacles that stand in the way of completing the building, symbolized by a large mountain, will disappear. Zechariah continues to question, asking about the nature of the olive branches and the seven candles of the lamp. God answers that the candles represent God's eyes, which cover the entire earth; while the two olive trees represent the two anointed leaders of the people, Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n This vision is one of the most famous chapters in the prophets. It is the haftarah for the holiday of Hanukkah, and the vision of the menorah surrounded by the two olive branches became the inspiration for the brothers Gabriel and Maxim Shamir, who used it to design the symbol of the nascent state of Israel in 1948.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n In his commentary to the book of Zechariah, Rabbi Hayyim Angel discusses the significance of the choice of this chapter as the haftarah for the holiday of Hanukkah. According to <\/span>Pesikta Rabbati 4, <\/span><\/i>the right choice should have been <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>the story of Elijah's dramatic and fiery confrontation with the priests of Ba'al at Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 19, while according to <\/span>Pesikta Rabbati 8<\/span><\/i>, the first chapter of Zephaniah, with its emphasis on candles as a means of introspection and repentance should have been the haftarah for Chanukah. Clearly some felt that the religious zealously of the Maccabees was the ideal message to preserve for Hanukkah (the Elijah model), others felt that the survival of a few among many wicked, which required introspection, was a more appropriate model to emulate. However, Zechariah's implied preference for the spiritual victory as opposed to the military miracles won out.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Finally, the chapter contains one of my favorite inspirational lines in all of prophecy \u2013 God's rebuke of those who \"despised the day of small things\". Rashi connects this to Ezra's description of the first attempt to rebuild the Temple. While many people rejoiced, others, mostly elderly, mocked and laughed at them. What a pathetic structure \u2013 so small and insignificant. Had they not seen Solomon's Temple in all its glory and grandeur? Ultimately, their negativity became paralyzing, an excuse for the people not to act. If we can't do it perfectly, why do it at all?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n Says Zechariah, it's not your job to decide what constitutes success. Do what you can \u2013 let God's spirit do the rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n image: Lego model of the Temple (truly small things...)<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":79248,"alt":"","title":"zech4-legomodel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","width":600,"height":317,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel-300x159.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":159,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","medium_large-width":600,"medium_large-height":317,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","large-width":600,"large-height":317,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","1536x1536-width":600,"1536x1536-height":317,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","2048x2048-width":600,"2048x2048-height":317,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","post_full_size-width":600,"post_full_size-height":317,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","home_baner-width":600,"home_baner-height":317}},"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":"For Shabbat Chanukah","tile_main_caption":"The Day Of Small Things","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The antidote to paralyzing negativity","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":79248,"alt":"","title":"zech4-legomodel","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","width":600,"height":317,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel-300x159.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":159,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","medium_large-width":600,"medium_large-height":317,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","large-width":600,"large-height":317,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","1536x1536-width":600,"1536x1536-height":317,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","2048x2048-width":600,"2048x2048-height":317,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","post_full_size-width":600,"post_full_size-height":317,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/zech4-legomodel.jpg","home_baner-width":600,"home_baner-height":317}},"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":"Prophets","book":"Zechariah","chapter":"4","chapter_main_number":"554","date":"20271013","wall_id":"554"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":6,"id":"99502","color":"#f2e9df","size":"1","name":"David\u2019s Positive Psychology ","post_title":"David\u2019s Positive Psychology","slug":"davids-positive-psychology","old_id":"99502","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":99130,"post_title":"Sandra Lilienthal","slug":"sandra-lilienthal","old_id":"99130","first_name":"Sandra ","last_name":"Lilienthal ","description":"Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is an independent adult educator in South Florida. Besides her many weekly classes, she is a frequent speaker at Jewish education conferences, synagogues and other Jewish organizations. Sandra is a 2015 winner of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.","short_description":"Dr. Sandra Lilienthal is an independent adult educator in South Florida, and is a 2015 winner of the Covenant Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":99132,"alt":"","title":"sandra lilienthal","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","width":2319,"height":2209,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-300x286.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":286,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-768x732.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":732,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-1024x975.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":975,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1463,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1951,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-1200x1143.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1143,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sandra-lilienthal-1-441x420.jpg","home_baner-width":441,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"881","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Not a single line of complaint or sadness for the \u201cno\u201d he had received from God\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" King David has good intentions in his desire to build a House for God; how can he, a human king, live in a palace while the Ark is in a tent? God, however, has different plans and instructs Nathan, the prophet, to go to David and tell him that it is his son Solomon who will build the Temple. It would have been easy for David to be frustrated and angry \u2013 after all, building the Temple would have been the fulfillment of his dream, and an everlasting physical reminder of David\u2019s greatness. Yet, after hearing Nathan\u2019s words, the text presents us with twelve verses of David\u2019s gratitude speech, with not a single line of complaint or apparent sadness for the \u201cno\u201d he had received from God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Every one of us encounters moments of frustration and anger in life: times in which our projects are rejected, our plans are foiled, our dreams are shattered. At those times, it is very easy (and human) to focus on what has been lost, on what went wrong. It is also easy (and human) to search for someone or something we can blame for the apparent failure, whether it is circumstances, people, or God. David offers us a different model \u2013 when faced with disappointment, instead of focusing on what we do not have, on what we have not achieved, one should look back at all our successes, on what we have been able to build so far, on the many accomplishments which have brought us to where we are today and be thankful for all of it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Our life\u2019s journey is made of ups and downs, of moments of movement and moments of inactivity, of successes and failures, of right and wrong choices, just as David\u2019s life was. Every step of the journey is responsible for bringing us to where we are today. Shattered dreams, as much as realized dreams, make us who we are. Pain, as much as comfort, builds understanding and resilience. It is only when we look back and see a full picture of our lives that we can see how those difficult moments helped us become stronger and better people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n Modern research in the field of Positive Psychology shows that gratitude leads to improved health, happiness, and stronger personal relationships. Thousands of years earlier, King David knew it intuitively. Let us learn from David to be grateful for our blessings not only when all is going well, but most importantly, when difficult times knock on our door.<\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":99503,"alt":"","title":"1chron17-satisfaction positive 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Positive Psychology","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Not a single line of complaint or sadness for the \u201cno\u201d he had received from God","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":99503,"alt":"","title":"1chron17-satisfaction positive 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Her particular area of interest is biblical leadership. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Molly Morris holds a Masters degree in Leadership and Community Engagement. Molly participates in the 929 initiative with a dedicated group from the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto congregation. \r\n\r\n","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":92561,"alt":"","title":"molly morris","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","width":2192,"height":2488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-264x300.jpg","medium-width":264,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-768x872.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":872,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-902x1024.jpg","large-width":902,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","1536x1536-width":1353,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris.jpg","2048x2048-width":1804,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-1057x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1057,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/molly-morris-370x420.jpg","home_baner-width":370,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"881","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Or was it something else?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":" This chapter of I Chronicles reiterates what was first related in II Samuel 7, for which I<\/span> previously wrote<\/span><\/a> about David\u2019s own understanding of why he was denied the privilege of building the Temple.\u00a0 In that passage, and in passages yet to come in I Chronicles, David asserts his belief that he is not eligible to build the Temple because of the blood on his hands, resulting from his military activity. But in both the Book of Samuel and here again in Chronicles, God makes no mention of that being the reason for the denial of David\u2019s wish.<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>But by spirit alone,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Shall we all live in peace (x2)<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>The children dream<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>And their tears may fall<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>But we'll hear them call<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>Another song will rise<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Another song will rise!<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>But by spirit alone,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Shall we all and live in peace.<\/span><\/p>\r\n
\r\n<\/span>Not by power!<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Shalom!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\t
\r\n<\/span>Hope is not gone, the structure reminds us: our ability to move on is literally and theologically central.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n