Duets on Psalms: Drawing New Meaning from Ancient Words

Psalms are spiritual poems to God that emerged from pivotal moments in the lives of their biblical authors. They serve as essential components of Jewish and Christian liturgy and are integral to secular culture, such as the widespread familiarity with “The Lord is my Shepherd” or the exclamation of “Halleluyah.” These ancient compositions are marked by an honesty that conveys wisdom colored with a wide-pallet of intense emotions. In Duets on Psalms (release date of November 2023), Rabbi Elie Spitz and Rabbi Jack Riemer, a pair of rabbis of differing generations, examine eleven psalms as if wearing bifocals: looking closely at the artistry and original context while extracting personal insights for contemporary readers. Learn about this welcome addition to the Jewish bookshelf and to explore two of the psalms featured in the book, Psalm 1 and Psalm 23.