Vayeitze

 בס״ד

Vayeitze

Should one search for God,

In lightning and thunder, storm and wind,

Or rummage around in the commonplace,

Combing through the familiar?

(To root about for Him,

Arrogantly thinking that He is ours to find,

Like someone’s lost sock,

Or your misplaced keys?)

Frantic now, tossing aside all that he sees,

Pillows, blankets, under beds and sheets,

Casting garments aloft with abandon,

“I know you’re in here!”.

If only he could stop,

Become less aware of himself,

Perceive what is revealed in the unconcealed,

Perhaps a princess, upon a camel’s saddle.

Toldos

 בס״ד

Toldos

The Plishtim blocked up all the wells,

Which Avraham had fathomed,

They did not want them for themselves,

Just so Yitzchok shouldn’t have ‘em.

Naught has changed, for what its worth,

They still have but one desire,

To deny to us our piece on earth,

Then set it all on fire.

No one loves our land like we do,

Neither Roman, Turk, nor Arab,

Muslim, Christian, who-cares-who,

Just wannabes of Jacob.

Chayei Sarah

 בס״ד

Chayei Sarah

Eliezer’s will is one with his master’s

just as a malach has no ratzon

motivated by no desire

other than HaShem’s.

Yet Avraham’s servant is not an angel

or maybe he is, else

where is the angel that Avraham promised

would accompany him?

The shavuah of Eliezer

the oath to which he is bound

Avraham claims as his own*

as if they are the same vow.

Exceeding even heavenly emissaries

Eliezer puts off

his hosts’ hospitality

lest his mission be delayed.

And once he returns with Rivka

by Avraham’s purpose no longer animated

he disappears.

* 24:8 “you shall then be absolved of this oath of mine” ונקית משבעתי

Vayeira

 בס״ד

Vayeira

Three angels appear,

Though they wear human masks,

Sent by Himself,

To complete different tasks.

Micha-el, to announce,

Gavri-el, to destroy,

Rafa-el, came to heal,

And to save Haran’s boy*.

But Lot throws him a curve,

To adjust his tafkid,

“Let me stay in Tzo’ar”,

He begs and he pleads.

Rafael could not change,

His instructions, he knew,

Still he tells Lot to run,

Ere the flame and ash spew.

In the end Lot goes up,

To the mountain, as told,

With his daughters he climbs,

As our story unfolds.

* Lot