Author: Rabbi David Krishef

Psalm 34

Posted by

2

“… to cut off their memory from the earth. (34:17)

When I get to the end of my life, I’d like to have made a difference. I know it’s not reasonable to think that 50 years after my death I will be remembered as anything other than a name, and after another 50 years, probably not even that, so my goal is modest. I’d like to be remembered for something for a generation or two. Having children is one way to guarantee that your memory will not be immediately cut off. Having the means to leave a financial legacy such as a named endowment fund or family foundation is another way. If it is within your power, how do you want to be remembered?

Psalm 33

Posted by

1

“Horses are a false hope for deliverance.” (33:17)

In old Westerns, the hero swoops in and rescues the damsel in distress, throws her across a horse, and rides off into the sunset. The horse is his tool of salvation. The Psalmist’s horse is a symbol of wealth, power, and mobility. We would speak of a luxury automobile or the latest mobile phone, with which we can handily impress clients and defeat competitors. Wealth and influence can be of tremendous benefit, but at the end of our life we ought to rather be remembered for our kindness and for the good things that we’ve done, and not just for the possessions we leave behind.

Psalm 32

Posted by

1

“Happy is one whose transgression is forgiven.” (32:1)

It is a great feeling to hear the words “I forgive you” spoken with sincere conviction. We all make mistakes. Sometimes we respond by denying that we did anything wrong and making excuses, instead of putting on our big boy and big girl pants and accepting the consequences of our behavior. It takes a strong and mature person to take responsibility for mistakes by admitting what we did, apologizing to those we’ve hurt, and making restitution, if possible. We do so knowing that forgiveness is not automatic, that sometimes the injured party will take longer to heal than it took for us to realize the mistake.

Psalm 31

Posted by

2

“I am like a lost object.” (31:13)

I find myself challenged when I need to attend social functions without knowing many people. An introvert by nature, I want to find a corner and fade into it. However, I don’t let my instinct define and limit me. Instead, I find someone to talk to. Maybe it will lead to conversations with a second and a third person, maybe not. If I leave the event having had a good conversation with at least one person, I consider that a success. The key, when feeling lost, is to find strength in your emotional and spiritual center and not give in to weakness.

Psalm 30

Posted by

1

“You have lifted me up” (30:1)

We all need a hand now and then. I love the moment in a football game right after the defensive player has flattened the running back, when he offers him a hand up. I feel the same when a tennis player overrules the umpire and awards a point to her opponent, or when a runner stops running to help up another who has fallen. In business, competitors sometime refer customers to each other when they know the other company can fulfill a particular need better than they can. Competition is good when we play fairly by the rules and when it challenges each of us to become better.