Many thanks, Ken, for obtaining this most enlightening commentary.
I also question the rabbi's assertion that "rod and staff" are incorrect. Rod, maybe, but not staff. The mishan which he describes could certainly be translated as "staff", in the same sense as "quarterstaff" (the pole used for fights or sporting demonstrations). I think it is quite possible that the KJ translators had the first sense of "shevet" in mind and maybe they might have used the word "ensign", meaning battle standard (flag). You also have to remember that the original meaning of "comfort" was not, as now, "console" or something similar; it comes from cum forte = "with strength" and hence means "strengthen". So we might consider that "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" means, "Your standard and staff strengthen me" or, "Your ensign and your staff arm me", or, "Your banner and your staff are my defense."
Again, I can't thank you and the rabbi enough. I have been saying and hearing this Psalm all my life and this opens up new areas of meaning to ponder.
OK, everyone, you may now go to the dogs again.
