when there will be no screaming in our streets

Ps 144:3-4

The savagery of war we’re living through reminds us of how fleeting life can be, and how fragile. Psalm 144 begins with gratitude for the ability to defend one’s loved ones with weapons against enemies, and then goes on to reflect on the fragility and perhaps the futility of life altogether.   

Is it all worth it? The poet seems to be asking. If life is as brief as a breeze or a passing shadow - what is all about? 

יְֽהֹוָ֗ה מָֽה־אָ֭דָם וַתֵּדָעֵ֑הוּ בֶּן־אֱ֝נ֗וֹשׁ וַתְּחַשְּׁבֵֽהוּ׃ אָ֭דָם לַהֶ֣בֶל דָּמָ֑ה יָ֝מָ֗יו כְּצֵ֣ל עוֹבֵֽר׃

“O ETERNAL One, what are mortals that You should care about them,

human beings, that You should think of them?

Humans are like a breath;

their days are like a passing shadow.”

Ps 144:3-4

This existential question hides within it the original human trauma as hinted at in the Torah - as essential and elusive as breath itself. 

The original Hebrew words for ‘They are like a breath’ refer to Hevel - which is both the Hebrew word for ‘breath’ or ‘vapor’ but is also the name of the first Human to be slain - Abel. 

So what’s this verse now telling us about the stories we tell about our human legacy of fragility and violence? 

Robert Alter offers his own translation to this verse and cites an interesting observation: 

“The human is like unto breath, his days like a passing shadow.”

“The Israeli scholar Gershon Brin has made the ingenious proposal that the previous verse and this one allude punningly to the first three generations of humankind: ‘adam (“the human,” or “Adam”), hevel (“breath,” or “Abel”) and ben ‘enosh (“the son of man,” or “Enosh”). In a pattern of intensification, this line moves from mere breath to something still more insubstantial, a passing shadow.”

Brin’s suggestion places this psalm in the context of ancestral trauma and its possible redemption. What if instead of killing our siblings because of competing needs we evolve to solidarity and sharing?  What if we indeed learn to become our siblings’ keepers? 

What if the exhale that is the human release becomes a song we sing together instead of cursing at each other?  What if we honor each other’s lives as much as we value our own? 

The psalm continues to describe ideal conditions that occur when that’s the case -- when we have learned to live together. 

On those days, the poet promises, there will be serenity and safety in the streets. Among the metaphors of what success will look like in those peaceful days the poet imagines: 

אַלּוּפֵ֗ינוּ מְֽסֻבָּ֫לִ֥ים אֵֽין־פֶּ֭רֶץ וְאֵ֣ין יוֹצֵ֑את וְאֵ֥ין צְ֝וָחָ֗ה בִּרְחֹבֹתֵֽינוּ׃

“Our oxen are heavy laden: there is no breach or migration: and there is no screaming in our streets.”

Ps. 144:14

The wish for days on which no screaming is heard in our streets and public places is a cherished prayer during these days, during all days.  There is a lot of screaming in the streets. A lot of yelling, and lot of anguished exhales. 

And yet, a shadow’s breath away, we can replace exhaled screams with full-lunged singing, in defiance of the death cult and with love for every living thing.  This psalms helps remind us that it’s on us, the human choir or care to learn how to exhale together, how to cherish every breath and every breathing thing, to lift up voices together and lift each other up, breath by precious breath.

PSLAM FOR PEACE!

Our Zoom study sessions are back by popular demand - after a few months off for summer travels and High Holy Days Season.

On Sunday 11/3/24 5pm ET, join me for a hour of contemplative talk & study about the Psalms and their meaning to our lives - right now.

Imagine this as restorative rest-stop with poetic reprieve from anxieties and election fever.

We will mark the completion of all 150 chapters of the Psalms with this co-created online learning session - featuring selections from YOUR favorite psalms.

Bring your own favorite word of line from the psalms, poetic fragment, or just show up to join the conversation.

Together, on the spot, we’ll discover a mosaic of modern and ancient intentions and inspirations - to help us lift up peace, justice and joy at this difficult time, lifting up each other's hopes for better days for all. 

Sign up HERE to Pslam for Peace

These live Zoom study sessions, with gratitude for thoughtful support, welcome paid subscribers of Below the Bible Belt.

You too can become a Paid Subscriber.

Thank you, friends! Your vote of confidence means a lot and every dollar helps me manage the daily writing and social media posting with some basic support and more ease.

Cant’ become a Paid Subscriber? OK! A recording of the session will be shared with all subscribers during the following week. 

So let’s PSLAM FOR PEACE.

Become a Paid Subscriber

Below the Bible Belt: 929 chapters, 42 months, daily reflections.

Become a free or paid subscriber and join Rabbi Amichai’s 3+ years interactive online quest to question, queer + re-read between the lines of the entire Hebrew Bible. Enjoy daily posts, weekly videos and monthly learning sessions. 2022-2025.

Become a Paid Subscriber? Thank you for your support!

#Psalms #PSLAMS #Psalm144 #ספרתהילים #תהילים #BookofPsalms #כתובים #tehilim #Ketuvim #Hebrewbible  #Tanach #929  #labshul #belowthebiblebelt929

#cainandable #screamingstreets #prayerofdespair #collectiveliberation #despair #poetryofpurpose #peace #prayforpeace #nomorewar #hope #peaceisposible   #both/and #fleetingshadow #singtogether #sacredbreath #exhale