Rosh Hashanah

September 28, 2011 in 5772, Rosh Hashanah by Ed | No comments


Tapuchim u’dvash*
A sweet treat we love to eat
To start a new year


The traditional Rosh Hashanah greeting is 8 syllables, making it a challenge to fit into a haiku. So I ask you to forgive me if I turn to prose for a moment to wish everyone shana tova u’metuka – a good and sweet year.

 

*apples and honey

Nitzavim / Vayeilech

September 23, 2011 in 5771 by Ed | No comments

Torah’s in heaven?
You need someone to bring it?
No, you don’t need that.


It’s over the sea?
You need someone to bring it?
No, you don’t need that.


It’s not too remote
Torah’s very close to you
In your mouth and heart


[Deut 30:11-14]

Ki Tavo

September 16, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


Ebal, Gerizim
From one the curses are read
The other, blessings


A question for us:
On which Mount are we standing
When we view our lives?


[Inspired by this week's Ten Minutes of Torah essays by Rabbi Melanie Aron and Rabbi Jennifer Clayman]

 

Ki Teitzei

September 9, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


When you harvest grain
Or the fruit of trees and vines
Leave the last behind


So that the widows
The orphans and foreigners
Can have what remains


This is commanded
To make sure we remember
That once we were slaves


[Based on Deuteronomy 24:20-22]


Shoftim

September 2, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


Tzedek is justice
But is also righteousness
So it’s written twice


Pursuing justice
Must be done through righteousness
Or it’s not justice


Deuteronomy 16:20
Tzedek, tzedek tirdof
Justice, justice, shall you pursue

R’eih

August 25, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim, Prayer, Temple by Ed | No comments


For burnt offerings
There will be one location
G-d’s place – HaMakom*

 

Today it is prayer**
A sacrifice of the heart
We offer to G-d

 

Any place is fine
In the synagogue, at home
Even on a plane

 

But still, Jews gather
As our ancestors once did
In Jerusalem


*Deut 12:11

**[Felicia R. (or other syllabic obsessives) - Click Here]

 

Eikev

August 19, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim by Ed | No comments


What does G-d demand?
Walk only in divine paths
Revere Adonai


Love the Eternal
With all your heart, all your soul
This is all G-d asks


[Deuteronomy 10:12]

Va-et’chanan

August 11, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim, Shema by Ed | No comments


This week in Torah
Deuteronomy 6:4
THE Jewish Haiku!

 

Sh’ma Yisrael
Adonai Eloheinu
Adonai Echad

 

Hear O Israel
The Eternal Is Our G-d
Adonai Is One


Devarim

August 5, 2011 in 5771, Deuteronomy / Devarim, Moses, Spies by Ed | No comments


Fifth book of Moses
Really, just his final speech
A journey retold


Almost right away
He recalls the spy story
A failure of faith


Is it about guilt
Or a leader’s reminder:
G-d will protect them


Ma’sei

July 29, 2011 in 5771, Numbers / Bamidbar by Ed | No comments


To ensure justice
Establish refuge cities
Protect the accused

So “blood avengers”
Cannot exact punishment
Without a trial


Chazak, chazak v’nitchazek
[This parasha concludes Bamidar - the 4th book of Torah]


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