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November 2006

Compiled by Rabbi Simkha Y. Weintraub, LCSW

Texts of Hope

Shared below are some of the Jewish texts that Rabbi Stephanie Dickstein shared with her DOROT University Without Walls class on "Hope".

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
— Bible, Proverbs 13:12

The righteous, even when brought to death, has hope.
— Bible, Proverbs 14:32

Where there is no vision, the people perish.
— Bible, Proverbs 29.18

As long as there is life, there is hope.
— R. Johanan in Jerusalem Talmud, Berakhot 9:1

It says, "I hope for Adonai, and He heard my cry." (Psalm 40:1)

There is nothing left for (the people of) Israel but to hope that God may deliver them. So it says, "Hope in Adonai, yes, hope in Adonai" (Psalm 27:14); one hope after the other. "Be of good courage, and let your heart be strong" (ibid.): if you have hoped, and have not been saved, hope and hope again… And it says: "He set my feet upon a rock" (Psalm 40:2.) Why did He do so? Because of the hope which I (King David) hoped. For God has pleasure not in burnt offerings or in peace offerings or in sacrifices, but in hope."
— Midrash Tehillim, on 40:2, Buber edition, 129a

These "Spirituality Notes" are excerpts from our monthly E-newsletter. Articles are © JBFCS Rita J. Kaplan Jewish Connections Programs and may be reprinted free of charge as long as this credit line is included.

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