Our Shepherd, Our King

Today, Yud-Daled Sivan, is my birthday as well as the day I started this blog. Amazing to think a whole year has passed since I started it and how much has happened. B”h I’m engaged and busy getting ready for the big day!

Today I begin my new Kapitol, Kapitol Chof Gimmel (23.)

Psalm 23 is one of the more famous psalms written by Dovid HaMelech. This particular psalm is about Hashem, G-d, being Dovid’s and of course ours as well- Shepherd-King. What does that mean?

There once was a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics.  He would always end his performance with a reading of Psalm 23.

Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.

But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital, a young man from the audience spoke up.  "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite the Psalm"?

The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words. When he was finished, there was no applause.  There was no standing ovation as on other nights.  All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand.  I have been performing Psalm 23 for years.  I have a lifetime of experience and training but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight.  Tell me, what is your secret?"

The young man quietly replied, "Well sir, you know the Psalm....I know the Shepherd."

Something to think about.

How often do you get caught up in the act you are doing that you completely forget the Shepherd?

Acts of kindness are commendable; but often so much of what we do is habitual. Davening in the morning, lighting Shabbos candles Friday night, we forget who it is we are doing all of it for.

Now Hashem is way more than just a shepherd to us.

 Keep in mind that Dovid used to be a shepherd.  He remembers how he led and cared for a herd of sheep.

At first thought a King and a Shepherd are very different. When one thinks about a King they think of a royal crown, a large castle, servants, fancy meals etc.  When one thinks of a shepherd they think of a servant who works in the fields with raggedy old clothes. 

There is something though that a Shepherd and a King have in common.  They both take care of something. A King is supposed to look after and protect the kingdom of people under him and a Shepherd looks after and protects his herd of sheep.

A King might have fancier stuff than a shepherd but they both have an important job. 

Dovid compares G-d to a shepherd because sometimes when we think of kings we think of someone high and mighty, who thinks he's more important than us and he couldn't possibly know each person in his kingdom. A shepherd on the other hand seems like a regular person that works hard and takes care and loves each of his sheep.  We wouldn't be afraid to talk to a shepherd and could just be ourselves around him.

Dovid knows that G-d isn't like “regular” kings so he compares Him to a loving shepherd taking care of his people so we can get a better picture of what Hashem is like.

Throughout this Kapitol Dovid is talking about himself as a sheep. When we read the Kapitol we too are meant to see ourselves as the sheep and G-d as our shepherd. 

Just as sheep completely rely on the shepherd for food, shelter and safety we too  rely on G-d for everything.The shepherd makes sure his sheep has everything he needs like nice green grass and clean water. This is exactly what Hashem does for us. G-d keeps Dovid on the good path.  Even when there are rough times he doesn't have to be afraid.  Hashem is ALWAYS with him and He can make him feel better when he needs it.

Hashem is both our Shepherd and our king. He cares for us and guides us and never stops providing for us.

My Hachlata for this coming birthday is to recognize G-d more. When doing things He wants of me I will make that conscious effort to realize who it is I am doing it for and what my ultimate purpose of being in this world is.

I would like to Bless you all with a year of only revealed good- endless health, wealth, and happiness!