December 11, 2025 • 11 mins
One week after devastating flooding in Central Texas, Rabbi Pam Silk reflects on how the 23rd Psalm can so powerfully capture and express the experience of struggle, grief, and bereavement. She captures the necessity of soul restoration, being with others, and celebrating Shabbat together.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
I am really glad you are all here. There is something special about celebrating Shabbat
and being in services together. There is something powerful about hearing all of our
voices together, joined with ours, singing and chanting. Even the sounds of greetings,
(00:21):
conversations, and chatter before the service, the chatter between pieces,
it takes on a new essence when here in sacred place on Shabbat. This place, the sounds,
your presence bring a warmth, comfort, and we are all certainly in need of comfort.
(00:42):
Just a week ago, as Rabbi Fixler and I led services, there was a joyfulness in the air
as we anticipated fireworks and festivities. We prayed for those impacted by the flood,
but we had no idea the full extent, the magnitude of the calamity,
the total devastation that had occurred in the Texas Hill Country. And as the images, stories,
(01:06):
and names of those who were lost have been shared, the feelings of loss and sadness for
many have become unbearable. The disaster of last Friday has shaken us to our core.
I imagine, like me, you too have heard from friends, neighbors, loved ones who want to
talk about what they have seen and heard about the flood. People who want to process, in some way,
(01:31):
in any way, that which is beyond our ability to make sense. Whether listening to radio reports,
television news, or reading local or national publications, all around us are stories of
suffering and loss, heroism and determination. There are chilling narratives written by
(01:53):
survivors of the storm and testaments of love and tribute to those who did not.
We shake our heads, trying to understand, and the more we read, or consider or watch,
the worse it seems to get. Truly, what happened is unimaginable, and the exercise of trying to
(02:16):
imagine so that we can come closer to understanding is the grueling, painful,
upsetting, and in the end, fruitless endeavor so many have been consumed by this last week.
In times of darkness and uncertainty, confusion and bewilderment, our people have always turned
to Torah. Eitz Chyim He - It is a tree of life. Our ancient text has the ability to inspire,
(02:42):
reassure, remind, and instruct us when all else seems dark, when we need to be reassured,
refreshed, replenished, and re-enlivened. And this is indeed such a moment. And so,
I want to share two texts, or shall I say remind you of two
texts that I am finding particularly comforting and powerful in these days.
(03:04):
The first is the 23rd Psalm, often known more familiarly as “The Lord is My Shepherd.” It is the
most well-known psalm and one we hear at funerals and memorial services more than any other.
It's one of the most beloved and enduring pieces of biblical poetry,
(03:25):
resonating across cultures and centuries as a message of comfort, trust, and divine guidance.
While modern scholars sometimes debate the authorship of the Psalms, the traditional view
holds that King David wrote Psalm 23, possibly during a personal reflection, exile, or gratitude.
(03:49):
I have always felt that the words resonate so deeply with us because they come from one
who knows what it is to ache. King David was no stranger to suffering, struggle,
and loss. King David tragically lost multiple sons during his lifetime,
each under a very different and heartbreaking circumstance. It is no wonder that the words of
(04:13):
this psalm so powerfully capture and express the experience of struggle, grief, and bereavement.
This week, a friend of mine posted a video where he quoted the second half of the second verse:
He leadeth me beside the still waters. We all know that we have had nothing close to still waters.
(04:41):
The waters of destruction and torment were anything but still. They roared and churned and
rushed and consumed, and a week later, even as the Guadalupe River has receded, the upheaval of those
waters remains. And our hearts have been very heavy and consumed with sadness because of it.
But the next verse of the psalm says (05:02):
He restoreth my soul. My soul does not feel restored. So nu,
God, where’s the restoration? There were no still waters and there is no restoration.
(05:24):
I imagine if you’re like most people I have spoken to, this work of soul restoration is
hard to come by because we keep returning to the news for updates. We doom scroll
on our phones to read the latest story or explanation about how this could have happened,
and where was the warning, and who did what, or did not do what, and who is to blame.
(05:46):
We receive texts forwarding the latest press conference and hear about flooding
and warning systems and it will be added to the legislature's special session, and on and on and
on. And because of this constant curiosity that comes from our inherent need to understand and
just try to make sense of things that we cannot understand, because of this constant exposure,
(06:10):
it bears heavier on our souls. It’s not just awful that it happened. We keep replaying it.
Our souls are not designed to carry this kind of information, the kinds of details that we
are hearing about and seeing images of. We may not have been in those river waters in the early
hours of July 4th, but to our souls, all the reading, and watching and listening, and seeing,
(06:37):
day after day, hour after hour, it may feel like we were. It may feel like we are experiencing the
trauma of the flood. And for you, my dear ones of this community who have experienced floods
in your home, or your school or your business or your community, it is not too much to say
(06:59):
you may well be experiencing a post-traumatic stress as if that is happening to you again.
So no, it probably does not feel like God is restoring your soul right now. And my message
to you on this Shabbat, if you hear nothing else, is this: Please, let God. Allow God
(07:23):
to help restore your soul. Our souls need restoration. It is holy work to allow the
Maker of our souls to do the work of restoration. And I am here tonight as one who cares about you,
one who is eager to provide care and support to all who are here. I am here to remind you
to find ways to allow God to restore your soul. Your tired, aching, sad, helpless feeling soul.
(07:51):
Being here, singing, praying, hugging, blessing,
celebrating - these are the ways God restores our souls.
Eat a delicious meal this Shabbat, listen to a piece of music that you love, read a good book,
do something crafty, play a game, spend time in the garden, sit with a friend or a loved one:
(08:14):
please, let God. Make space. No, it will not fix the devastation, make someone’s home whole, or
bring people back to life, but it will help you. And right now, that is the best place to start.
If you recall, I said that there are two texts from tradition I am finding
(08:38):
particularly meaningful at this moment. Psalm 23 is the first. The second comes
from this week’s Haftorah portion, also verses that are likely familiar to you:
Micah chapter 6:8
It hath been told thee, O man, what is good,And what the LORD doth require of thee:
(09:00):
Only to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
The restoration we seek, the restoration we need, is so crucial because only with
souls restored can we live up to this highest measure of what God expects of us: doing justly,
loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.We absolutely have a role to play, we have care to
(09:28):
express, and we have help to give. But that work, that soul work, those Mitzvot, can only be done
when we have something of ourselves to give. Yes, we must show up. We must donate. We must demand
the attention of lawmakers and representatives. We must ensure that those who are most impacted have
(09:49):
basic needs and emotional support. And when we are spiritually fueled, we are best prepared to do so.
While it may sometimes seem like taking the time and resources to
allow God to restore our souls pulls us away from “doing justly, loving mercily,
and walking humbly with God”, nothing could be further from the truth.
(10:16):
So, consider this message tonight one tiny little dose of restoration. And the music
of our service, another little piece, and the warmth and care of community,
the smile of those around you, the greetings of Shabbat Shalom,
another measure. And continue to allow this Shabbat to be one where we allow God,
(10:39):
through the beauty and richness of our faith and traditions and rituals, to restore our souls.
Shabbat Shalom.
I am really glad you are all here. There is something special about celebrating Shabbat
and being in services together. There is something powerful about hearing all of our
voices together, joined with ours, singing and chanting. Even the sounds of greetings,
(00:21):
conversations, and chatter before the service, the chatter between pieces,
it takes on a new essence when here in sacred place on Shabbat. This place, the sounds,
your presence bring a warmth, comfort, and we are all certainly in need of comfort.
(00:42):
Just a week ago, as Rabbi Fixler and I led services, there was a joyfulness in the air
as we anticipated fireworks and festivities. We prayed for those impacted by the flood,
but we had no idea the full extent, the magnitude of the calamity,
the total devastation that had occurred in the Texas Hill Country. And as the images, stories,
(01:06):
and names of those who were lost have been shared, the feelings of loss and sadness for
many have become unbearable. The disaster of last Friday has shaken us to our core.
I imagine, like me, you too have heard from friends, neighbors, loved ones who want to
talk about what they have seen and heard about the flood. People who want to process, in some way,
(01:31):
in any way, that which is beyond our ability to make sense. Whether listening to radio reports,
television news, or reading local or national publications, all around us are stories of
suffering and loss, heroism and determination. There are chilling narratives written by
(01:53):
survivors of the storm and testaments of love and tribute to those who did not.
We shake our heads, trying to understand, and the more we read, or consider or watch,
the worse it seems to get. Truly, what happened is unimaginable, and the exercise of trying to
(02:16):
imagine so that we can come closer to understanding is the grueling, painful,
upsetting, and in the end, fruitless endeavor so many have been consumed by this last week.
In times of darkness and uncertainty, confusion and bewilderment, our people have always turned
to Torah. Eitz Chyim He - It is a tree of life. Our ancient text has the ability to inspire,
(02:42):
reassure, remind, and instruct us when all else seems dark, when we need to be reassured,
refreshed, replenished, and re-enlivened. And this is indeed such a moment. And so,
I want to share two texts, or shall I say remind you of two
texts that I am finding particularly comforting and powerful in these days.
(03:04):
The first is the 23rd Psalm, often known more familiarly as “The Lord is My Shepherd.” It is the
most well-known psalm and one we hear at funerals and memorial services more than any other.
It's one of the most beloved and enduring pieces of biblical poetry,
(03:25):
resonating across cultures and centuries as a message of comfort, trust, and divine guidance.
While modern scholars sometimes debate the authorship of the Psalms, the traditional view
holds that King David wrote Psalm 23, possibly during a personal reflection, exile, or gratitude.
(03:49):
I have always felt that the words resonate so deeply with us because they come from one
who knows what it is to ache. King David was no stranger to suffering, struggle,
and loss. King David tragically lost multiple sons during his lifetime,
each under a very different and heartbreaking circumstance. It is no wonder that the words of
(04:13):
this psalm so powerfully capture and express the experience of struggle, grief, and bereavement.
This week, a friend of mine posted a video where he quoted the second half of the second verse:
He leadeth me beside the still waters. We all know that we have had nothing close to still waters.
(04:41):
The waters of destruction and torment were anything but still. They roared and churned and
rushed and consumed, and a week later, even as the Guadalupe River has receded, the upheaval of those
waters remains. And our hearts have been very heavy and consumed with sadness because of it.
But the next verse of the psalm says (05:02):
He restoreth my soul. My soul does not feel restored. So nu,
God, where’s the restoration? There were no still waters and there is no restoration.
(05:24):
I imagine if you’re like most people I have spoken to, this work of soul restoration is
hard to come by because we keep returning to the news for updates. We doom scroll
on our phones to read the latest story or explanation about how this could have happened,
and where was the warning, and who did what, or did not do what, and who is to blame.
(05:46):
We receive texts forwarding the latest press conference and hear about flooding
and warning systems and it will be added to the legislature's special session, and on and on and
on. And because of this constant curiosity that comes from our inherent need to understand and
just try to make sense of things that we cannot understand, because of this constant exposure,
(06:10):
it bears heavier on our souls. It’s not just awful that it happened. We keep replaying it.
Our souls are not designed to carry this kind of information, the kinds of details that we
are hearing about and seeing images of. We may not have been in those river waters in the early
hours of July 4th, but to our souls, all the reading, and watching and listening, and seeing,
(06:37):
day after day, hour after hour, it may feel like we were. It may feel like we are experiencing the
trauma of the flood. And for you, my dear ones of this community who have experienced floods
in your home, or your school or your business or your community, it is not too much to say
(06:59):
you may well be experiencing a post-traumatic stress as if that is happening to you again.
So no, it probably does not feel like God is restoring your soul right now. And my message
to you on this Shabbat, if you hear nothing else, is this: Please, let God. Allow God
(07:23):
to help restore your soul. Our souls need restoration. It is holy work to allow the
Maker of our souls to do the work of restoration. And I am here tonight as one who cares about you,
one who is eager to provide care and support to all who are here. I am here to remind you
to find ways to allow God to restore your soul. Your tired, aching, sad, helpless feeling soul.
(07:51):
Being here, singing, praying, hugging, blessing,
celebrating - these are the ways God restores our souls.
Eat a delicious meal this Shabbat, listen to a piece of music that you love, read a good book,
do something crafty, play a game, spend time in the garden, sit with a friend or a loved one:
(08:14):
please, let God. Make space. No, it will not fix the devastation, make someone’s home whole, or
bring people back to life, but it will help you. And right now, that is the best place to start.
If you recall, I said that there are two texts from tradition I am finding
(08:38):
particularly meaningful at this moment. Psalm 23 is the first. The second comes
from this week’s Haftorah portion, also verses that are likely familiar to you:
Micah chapter 6:8
It hath been told thee, O man, what is good,And what the LORD doth require of thee:
(09:00):
Only to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.
The restoration we seek, the restoration we need, is so crucial because only with
souls restored can we live up to this highest measure of what God expects of us: doing justly,
loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.We absolutely have a role to play, we have care to
(09:28):
express, and we have help to give. But that work, that soul work, those Mitzvot, can only be done
when we have something of ourselves to give. Yes, we must show up. We must donate. We must demand
the attention of lawmakers and representatives. We must ensure that those who are most impacted have
(09:49):
basic needs and emotional support. And when we are spiritually fueled, we are best prepared to do so.
While it may sometimes seem like taking the time and resources to
allow God to restore our souls pulls us away from “doing justly, loving mercily,
and walking humbly with God”, nothing could be further from the truth.
(10:16):
So, consider this message tonight one tiny little dose of restoration. And the music
of our service, another little piece, and the warmth and care of community,
the smile of those around you, the greetings of Shabbat Shalom,
another measure. And continue to allow this Shabbat to be one where we allow God,
(10:39):
through the beauty and richness of our faith and traditions and rituals, to restore our souls.
Shabbat Shalom.
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