ז) הָבוּ לַה’ מִשְׁפְּחוֹת עַמִּים הָבוּ לַה’ כָּבוֹד וָעֹז: Ascribe to Hashem, [you] families of peoples, ascribe to Hashem glory and might. The Meforshim explain that this pasuk means that they should actively speak about Hashem’s glory and might (Radak, Metzudos and Ibn Ezra) and that they should realise and articulate that true … More More than Just a Creator
Rav Hirsch explains this pasuk as meaning that unlike the false gods of the nations, Hashem is not jealous of man’s most glorious prosperity. Man may appear before Hashem’s presence in both glory of person and majesty of power. Actually it is only before Hashem’s countenance that man can truly attain these attributes. The moral … More The Glory that lies Deep Within
ו) הוֹד וְהָדָר לְפָנָיו עֹז וְתִפְאֶרֶת בְּמִקְדָּשׁוֹ: [They ascribe] beauty and majesty before Him; might and glory in His sanctuary. The Malbim draws a distinction between the words hod and hadar as well as oz and tiferes. Hod is something internal, an expression of the essence whereas hadar is the beauty of its external form. … More Hod and Hadar
The Medrash on the pasuk וירא בסבלותם says that when Moshe was still a prince in the palace, he went out and saw that the Bnei Yisrael were working non stop, seven days a week. He went to Pharaoh and suggested to him that it would be beneficial for him to give his slaves … More Parshas Va’eira – Shabbos the Source of Redemption
ו) הוֹד וְהָדָר לְפָנָיו עֹז וְתִפְאֶרֶת בְּמִקְדָּשׁוֹ: [They ascribe] beauty and majesty before Him; might and glory in His sanctuary. The meaning of this somewhat cryptic verse is discussed and debated by the commentators. Rashi does not comment on this verse, but the Radak says that the first part of the verse is referring … More Beauty and Majesty
Rav Hirsch takes a slightly different angle on this pasuk asnd says that it is telling us to declare that only the gods of the nations are אלילים , ‘gods that deny’ that is, they are gods that withhold favour. The nations imagine that these gods to be inimical to the welfare of mankind. For … More We’re not into Voodoo
ה) כִּי כָּל אֱלֹהֵי הָעַמִּים אֱלִילִים וַה’ שָׁמַיִם עָשָׂה: For all the gods of the peoples are nought, but the Hashem made the heavens. The Malbim explains that the nations of the world ascribe divine powers to natural forces, thinking that they are truly independent beings. However, in truth they are nothing but … More The Ultimate Super Power
כִּי גָדוֹל ה’ וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד נוֹרָא הוּא עַל כָּל אֱלֹהִים For Hashem is great and very much praised; He is feared over all divine powers. The Malbim explains that the word גדול, great refers to that fact that Hashem is both first and last in all of creation, and also that His strength extends … More Total Control
ד) כִּי גָדוֹל ה’ וּמְהֻלָּל מְאֹד נוֹרָא הוּא עַל כָּל אֱלֹהִים: For Hashem is great and very much praised; He is feared over all divine powers. Rav Hirsch explains that this pasuk is telling us to proclaim that only Hashem can be truly great. He is the One true G-d who holds all … More Don’t confuse Hashem with His creations
