{"id":55020,"date":"2020-05-07T19:50:22","date_gmt":"2020-05-08T01:50:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/?p=55020"},"modified":"2020-05-07T19:50:22","modified_gmt":"2020-05-08T01:50:22","slug":"off-the-pulpit-the-most-important-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crescentcityjewishnews.com\/blog\/off-the-pulpit-the-most-important-word\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Pulpit: The most important word"},"content":{"rendered":"

By RABBI DAVID WOLPE<\/p>\n

\"\"

For English speakers, the King James translation of the Psalm is part of the common culture: \u2018my cup runneth over\u2019 and \u2018I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.\u2019<\/p>\n

For us however, it is a word often unnoticed that is the most important in the entire Psalm: \u201cYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me.\u201d The word to notice is \u201cwalk.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Psalmist is teaching us that we do not stay in the valley. When a mourner is trapped by grief, or a society overcome by sorrow, it is crucial to remember that grief is not a permanent state. The shadow must give way to light. In our time what word could be more poignant? We are all in the valley, but we must not stay there. From 3,000 years ago the Psalmist is reminding us \u2013 walk.<\/p>\n

\"Share