The November Bulletin Article

Simple Faith

On the second day of Rosh Hashana, I shared with you a running translation of the Hebrew of the Adon Olam .

For those who would like to see the translation in print, here it is:

Adon olam Lord of the Universe

asher malach who reigned

b'terem kol y'tzir nivra before anything formed was created.

L'eyt At a certain point in time

na'asah b'cheftzo kol everything was made according to His desire.

Azai melech sh'mo nikra Then “King” was the name He was called.

V'acharei kich'lot hakol And after everything comes to an end,

Levado yimloch nora He alone, will reign awesome

V'hu hayah And He was

V'hu hoveh And He is

V'hu yih'yeh b'tif'arah And He will be in splendor

V'hu echad v'ein sheini And He is One and there is no second,

l'hamshil lo l'hachbirah To govern together with Him

B'li reishit, b'li tachlit Without a starting point nor a limit

v'Lo ha-oz v'hamisrah And He has the power and the dominion.

V'hu eili v'chai go'ali And He is my God and my living Redeemer

v'tzur chevli b'eyt tzara And the rock of my rope at the time of trouble;

V'hu nisi u'manos li And He is my banner and my escape

M'nat kosi b'yom ekra The cup apportioned to me on the day I cry out.

B'yado afkid ruchi Into His hand I place my spirit

B'eyt ishan v'a'ira At the time when I sleep and when I wake up.

V'im ruchi, g'viyati And with my spirit and my body

Adonai li v'lo ira God is with me - I will not fear.

It's interesting how well this “simple” song maps out the way to a spiritual life; and how so much depends on having confidence.

May your journey be fruitful!

Fondest wishes,

Or “eternal Lord” - Addressing God as “Lord” is a way of attributing ultimate authority.

b’Shalom,