|
Psalm 1:4 Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. Devorah reflects on the Psalmist’s comparison of rootless chaff and wickedness. In a world where falseness, lies and cheating are pervasive, how do we distinguish between ungodly behavior and downright godlessness? Original musical compilation by Elizabeth and Devorah.  A Tzadik Travels the World The Hebrew צַדִּיקִֽ or Tzadik from the root ṣ-d-q (צדק) for charity means righteousness or a righteous person in English "one who elevates everyone he/she meets" while translated in other languages as "To have a straight heart" in the Native American language of Highland Puebla Nahuatl or in Eastern Huasteca Nahuatl “the result of heart-straightening” bringing in a sense of the results of action not just a way of being in Navajo “to do just so” North Alaskan Inupiatun “having sin taken away” In the Eastern Highland Otomi of Mexico “entirely good” when referring to God and “do good” when referring to people again the difference between be a certain way to actions Mezquital Otomi throws into the mix "to have truth" Carib of Central America translates Tzadik as “level” a meaning that is carried in peace in other languages a level playing field or one who helps others reach a higher level Across the sea in Asian Indonesian "Tzadik" means “people who are true” In the Oceanic language of Papua New Guinea Guhu-Samane translate righteous as "pobi" “right” contains a sense of "legal, straightness and correction" "south, possession, pertinence" as well as "kingdom and fame in information and speech" The relationship between these words are described "As one faces the morning sun, south lies to the right hand then at one’s right hand are his possessions and whatever pertains to him thus, a rich man’s many possessions and scope of power and influence is his kingdom so, the rich and other important people encounter fame and all of this spreads as information and forms most of the framework of the people’s speech" (Source: Ernest Richert in Notes on Translation 1964, p. 11ff). Tzadik is translated "to be straight" in the African language Bambara East African Anuak language “to do as it should be” in Mossi “to have a white stomach” perhaps nothing to hid or be ashamed of Another African language Nuer translates righteousness “way of right” and assigns gender right indicates masculine strong, good, and moral We can take in all of these meanings set them free of gender, color, curvature or direction and simply recognize the good in people everywhere Psalm 1:4 לֹא־כֵ֥ן הָרְשָׁעִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־כַּ֝מֹּ֗ץ אֲֽשֶׁר־תִּדְּפֶ֥נּוּ רֽוּחַ׃ Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. Psalm 1:5 עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ לֹא־יָקֻ֣מוּ רְ֭שָׁעִים בַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט וְ֝חַטָּאִ֗ים בַּעֲדַ֥ת צַדִּיקִֽים׃ Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment, nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous. Psalm 1:6 כִּֽי־יוֹדֵ֣עַ יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ צַדִּיקִ֑ים וְדֶ֖רֶךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֹּאבֵֽד׃ For the LORD cherishes the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed. [Sefaria]  Blow Away (Psalm 1:4)
Blow Away, Blow Away Lo Chen ha-Reshaim, Blow Away Blow Away Ki Eem Kamotz, Blow Away Blow Away. Asher Tidfenu Ruach. Blow Away, Blow Away; Like Chaff that Wind Blows Away, Blow Away. Original Lyrics and Music by Rabbi Elizabeth Goldstein and Devorah Tucker-Fick. Psalm 1:4 Not so the wicked; rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. [Sefaria] |
ReflectionsHineni.Space posts brief daily offerings (Elul meditations, reflections, poetry, and melodies). There is a tradition to hear the shofar every day of the month of Elul and to recite the verses of Psalm 27. 
Archives
March 2021
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed