RochelLeah's RealLife

Tuesday, September 20, 2005

Psalm 29

For a change, I actually made it to synagogue on both Friday night and Saturday morning this week. Friday night services were great... the prayer-leader did a fabulous job and everyone in attendance was singing quite joyfully. When we reached Psalm 29 ("Havu L'Adonai B'nei Eilim..."), I popped out of my seat as usual and joined gleefully in with what is one of my favorite liturgical melodies (from the Carlebach tradition). The next morning, though, I had a totally different experience. The rabbinical student filling in for the congregational rabbi shared some rather moving words regarding the continuing plight of our American brothers and sisters in the Gulf states. Almost immediately afterward, we rose to return the Torah to the ark, once again singing Psalm 29, and I was close to tears:

"The voice of Adonai is over the waters; the Glory of God roars, Adonai, over the many waters... Adonai sat [enthroned] over the Flood; and Adonai will sit as Ruler forever. Adonai will give strength to God's people; Adonai will grant shalom to God's people."

Theologically, the idea of God still being present and ruling during the Flood (of Noah's time) is supposed to be reassuring; the chaos of the Flood was still part of God's plan and not in defiance of it. Somehow, this time, it doesn't sound so reassuring.

More later....

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home