PSALM 133

During the winter months, there is a Jewish tradition of studying a special set of psalms  - "tehilim" - on Shabbat afternoons. These psalms, #120-134, are known as the Shir HaMaalot/Songs of Ascent psalms, as that is the first phrase in each psalm.  Each week, one of these psalms will be presented here.  We have so far covered Psalm 104, the Psalm for the New Month, and Psalms 120-132. This week, we look at Psalm 133, which we can find in Sefaria at https://www.sefaria.org/Psalms.133.2?lang=bi.

If Psalm 132 was the longest psalm, 133 is one of the shortest, only three verses in length.  The Radak (David Kimchi, 1160-1235 in Southern France) and Ben Melekh (Spanish scholar, lived in Constantinople in the mid-1500s) saw the psalm as being prophetic of the messianic age, when the Davidic monarchy and the restored High Priesthood will work together in peace. The parallel central images, of the fine oil running down Aaron’s beard and the dew running from Mount Hermon, are expressed in sensual language, sharing some of the phraseology of the Song of Songs.

Below, I present the text of the psalm, along with some of the related commentary by Rashi and Rev Steinstaltz.

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

How good and how pleasant it is that kindred dwell together.

(It is good that the people of Israel, both those who live in Jerusalem and those who are pilgrims to the Temple, are in the place where they belong, enjoying one another’s company.)

It is like fine oil on the head running down onto the beard, the beard of Aaron that comes down over the collar of his robe;

(The people are sitting in ease and in good fellowship, beholding the priests in their glory as they anoint their heads with fragrant oil, a description of both dignity and ease. The image of the precious scented oil glistening and running down is a symbol of greatness, abundance and contentment.)

Like the dew of Hermon that falls upon the mountains of Zion.

There G-d ordained blessing, everlasting life.

(The area of Mount Hermon has lots of moisture, and here shares that with the other, more arid, heights. This allows for life in all its fullness to spread and flourish.)