For Rosh Hashanah
A traditional greeting
“L’shana tovah”

Time for t’shuva
As we each seek forgiveness
For wrongs we have done

Days of reflection
Finding ways to be better
In the coming year

The Machzor tells us
We will know we’re forgiven
When transgressions end

We should say, “sorry”
But that alone, not enough
Actions must change, too

Ev’ryone is there
Standing before Adonai
Covenant is made

But it’s not just them
Future generations, too
Will be bound to G-d

Word art based on Deuteronomy chapter 29 created at wordle.net

How should we obey?
With all our heart, all our soul*
But what does this mean?

Simple translation
Might obscure the full meaning
Of this Torah verse

One scholar tells us
It’s not just emotional
But physical, too.

*Deut 26:16

Evil Amalek
Attacked the weakest of us
We must remember

How can we do this?
The fight for social justice
Is one place to start

Help the poor and weak
Those whom Amalek attacked
This is a mitzvah

We go to battle
And G-d is “walking with us”
But what does this mean?

By turning to G-d
We can find strength for the fight
Be victorious

“G-d is on our side”
Does not mean that we are right
It means we’ll do right

Adding? Don’t do it.
Subtracting? That’s just as bad.
Just do what G-d says.

(Deut 13:1)

This week we are told
Bless G-d when you’re done eating
Birkat Hamazon

The Ten Commandments
Repeated in this portion
But with some changes

Here, “observe” Shabbat
Before, it was “remember”
Two ways to “keep” it?

And now, Devarim
It all sounds so familiar
“Words” we’ve heard before

Desert travelogue.
Moses recalls the places
Where the people camped

Nothing but a list
With a few key exceptions
For special places

Elim – much water
In Rephidim, not so much
Later, Hor Mountain

At which point Moses
Takes a moment to recall
That’s where Aaron died