My Rock: Psalms 71-72

Sometimes, a person looks around and simply cannot find a single friend, ally or anyone else to depend on. Yet, that's really a blessing in disguise. Alone, with no friend or allie and on the verge of certain death, King David had no one to turn to but the Almighty, his Rock and Redeemer.

Rescue from the Deep: Psalms 69-70

When we feel that the floodwaters of tribulations are about to drown us, we turn to Psalm 69. And when we can no longer withstand the fierce currents of life's raging rivers, we call for immediate help in Psalm 70.

The Rain's Song: Psalm 68

Psalm 68 describes Hashem's magnificent reign over creation. King David prophetically describes how in the end of days, Hashem will bring Moshiach, subdue His enemies and establish His holy Sanctuary in Jerusalem.

The Menorah: Psalms 66-67

Psalm 67 resembles the 7-branched menorah of the Holy Temple. When we recite it, we kindle our souls. King Solomon said, "Hashem's candle is the human soul" (Proverbs 20:27). Therefore, kindling our souls is tantamount to lighting the actual menorah of the Holy Temple. This is only one of the many spiritual powers of these two psalms, which King David wrote for all of mankind.

Ruth and the Secret of Moshiach

The "Dark Side" does everything in its power to prevent the coming of Moshiach. The Book of Ruth shows the extent that Hashem outmanuevers the forces of evil. Moshiach will come suddenly, in the most surprising of circumstances.

The Thirsty Soul: Psalms 63-65

In the face of peril, King David yearns to be constantly closer to Hashem. He delights in the thought of the Holy Temple and foresees the future of his offspring. He sees that his descendent, the Prophet Daniel, will be facing identical dangers that he faced. King David not only prays for Daniel, but for each of us as well.

The Tranquil Soul: Psalms 60-62

Despite no respite from both internal and external enemies, King David succeeds in maintaining a tranquil soul. What is his secret?

Escape from Darkness: Psalms 57-59

King David suffered unspeakable emotional and physical hardships. These included imminent death in captivity on more occasions than one. Prophetically, he felt our pain and wrote these Psalms for us too.

Wings of a Dove: Psalms 54-56

Sometimes our troubles are so tormenting that we'd be happy to sprout wings like a dove and just fly away to a place of peace. King David felt exactly like that when he had no rest from enemies, both foreign and domestic. Prophetically, he felt our pain and wrote these Psalms for us too.

Renewal of the Spirit: Psalms 51-53

Confessing one's wrongdoings to the Almighty does more than merely cleansing one's soul. It rejuvenates the spirit. A rejuvenated spirit is a healthy spirit, and a healthy spirit is a happy spirit.

The Story of Passover, Part 3: Exodus From Egypt

The 210 years of exile and 116 years of slavery in Egypt ended with on the eve of the 15th of Nissan, 2448 in the Hebrew calendar. This was the year 1312 BCE. Hashem gave a most difficult command to the Israelites. Each family had to slaughter a lamb, which the Egyptians held sacred as their prime deity. This was an act of total dedication to the Almighty, where emuna had to prevail over logic and fear. Such dedication triggered the final exodus from Egypt, in a remarkable chain of events that we learn in todays lesson.

The Story of Passover: Part 1, Slavery in Egypt

How did a fierce, proud and independent people like the Israelites fall into slavery in Egypt? Why did they have to suffer unspeakable atrocities? Here, in first of our 3-Part "Story of Passover," we gain a deeper appreciation of the Passover holiday and of true freedom.