This flock has followed
in the footsteps of shepherds –
ever since its inception, told
in pages that have been lettered
with divine truths, folded
within the collective memory
of a people emboldened
by faith, prayer, and a history
of covenantal relationship
with the Almighty.
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In the still of the night,
in the early hours of the morning,
when there is no sign of light,
there is no time for adorning
oneself with endless fantasies
of who one would like to be,
by ignoring the actualities
that exist for all of humanity.
Rather, there is only time
to huddle with the teams of angels
assigned to strengthen the line
of defense against the enemy.
The true test of life
with all of its challenges
is how we deal with strife,
as the world rearranges
itself, turning chaos into order,
when the kedoshim prevail
over the destructive forces
that threaten Israel.
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Words have no proximity
to speak of the calamity,
perpetrated upon Israelis.
Support all of humanity,
by siding with the light
of a nation led by G-d.
He is our shelter, in the barrage
of missiles, our place of refuge,
when the sirens sound.
Our G-d will fight for us,
against the enemies of all that is just,
as we preserve our own integrity.
For, we seek the good of all,
and will not let terror fall
upon innocent lives again.
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Returning home,
no more to roam,
upon the wings of eagles,
Defending the nation,
against an abomination,
plain to see to all eyes.
The response will be swift;
moreover, there is no longer a rift,
amongst those who are now unified.
We stand as one against the enemy,
who descended to a level of inhumanity,
even lower than the animals.
Hamas will be rooted out of their holes,
where they hide in darkness, taking their toll
upon innocent men, women and children.
The culture of death that permeates
a society that is raised on hate,
must be dismantled forever.
For no moral equivalency can be drawn,
between the rotten fruits of its spawn,
and Israel’s right to self-defense.
Captive taken,
faith unshaken,
waiting for the day of redemption.
As we wait in solace,
our hearts in silence,
yearn for the time of reconciliation.
Scattered across the nations,
in exile, watching the conflagration,
indifferent to our own captivity.
Our hearts cry out in whispers
for our brothers and sisters,
while remaining unaware of our own bondage.
The destiny of K’lal Yisrael as a team
is bound by one hope and dream,
of freedom within and without.
So, while we pray for our brethren,
let us not neglect our own condition,
wherein the soul cries out for renewal.
For, the spark inside of us,
must be kindled by trust,
in the One Who calls us home.
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how much longer
until your arrival?
We wait in anticipation,
of redemption for our nation;
the news of your presence
will ripple out to the world.
All the trees will sing out
praise, for the time has come.
The entire earth will break forth in joy,
singing along with the blue jays.
Let us not fall asleep, L-rd,
as we wait for your Kingdom
to appear in its glory.
Offerings:
Laden with burdens
throughout the week,
weighted down with the cares
of olam haba (this world);
we look forward to sanctifying ourselves,
while basking in the light of Shabbat.
We bring ourselves, heavy-hearted,
casting our burdens upon Your mercy;
we offer up our only gifts to You –
our remembrance, and observance.
Zachor v’shamor, let us
remember and observe;
first to light the sparks within,
and learn to begin again,
after the Sabbath:
motzei Shabbos.
"Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee; hide thyself for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast." - Isaiah 26:20, JPS 1917 Tanach
The final dawn arrives to bring
a hopeful message tinged with joy,
compels the soul to lift on high
the weary eyes above the sky.
Until that day, I’ll hide away,
and bide my time, making rhyme,
behind the screen of inner space,
where no one sees my hidden face.
I’ll greet the dawn with praise and song,
without the slightest sound of alarm,
resting in my safest haven,
and in anticipation sing.
The veil will part in sky and heart,
revealing all to glorify the One,
Who in Heaven’s Highest Abode,
sends blessings from His treasure trove.
Look up,
for the hour draws near.
There is hope in the skies,
beyond what is imagined,
by the fear in our hearts.
There is a lasting generation
of humanity that will survive
the death and decay of the earth,
before the arrival of its revival.
The truth will transcend science,
and reason outlast the media’s
implicit portrayal of doomsday,
on the brink of tomorrow.
I shall not seek Hollywood’s
fantastic predictions on the screen;
nor, fear the earth-changes,
while my faith is intact.
I will do my part to hasten
the renewal of the earth;
and prevent the suffocation of sea turtles,
by not accepting plastic bags at the store.
My conscience clean, I will rest in quietude
every night in expectation of a dawn,
that will succeed man’s best efforts
to create harmony within the biosphere,
as G-d enacts a rescue plan.
Hope, is the mainstay of my life
and the fruition of my thoughts.
Hope, will outweigh the strife
that weighs heavily upon my heart.
Hope, the champion of the future,
a prelude to ultimate victory.
Hope, is enough to suture
the wounds inflicted by misery.
Hope, will mend the broken fragments
of a life unduly shattered.
Hope, will diminish the lament
of those whose clothes are tattered.
Hope, designed to stich each patch
and sew together the unraveled strands.
Hope, will help to gather all who are lost,
like collecting so many grains of sand.
Hope, will meld with faith,
bridging the gap in between.
Hope obtained, will never fade,
always realizing the dream.
The Tree of Life 