בס״ד
Tetzaveh/Zachor
The Ephod with it’s shoham stones,
Me’il, Ketones, in their place,
Choshen Mishpat, gems in rows,
Upon a woven, golden, plate.
Twisted linen shoulder straps,
Blue and crimson woolen threads,
All on Aharon’s shoulders rest,
Golden Tzis upon his head.
And yet, this burden, naught compared,
To the taxing load he gravely bears,
To kapara seek for Yisroel,
Of greater weight than what he wears.
בס״ד
Terumah
With the Luchos placed gently within the Aron,
The cover was now placed upon it,
Golden staves set within golden rings,
Like a song, lifted all those who bore it.
But with no soul within, as if weighted by chains,
The Aron now heavy, just dead weight remains,
Like a guf without breath, a case with no klaff,
Covered with gold, but that’s not enough.
Within the Kodesh HaKedoshim,
An empty Aron may not to dwell,
If devoid of Moshe’s Tablets,
Was it unbearable now, as well?
בס״ד
Mishpatim/Shekalim
Servants and slaves, and masters who strike,
Kidnapping, cursing, and dangerous fights.
Innocent oxen, and uncovered pits,
Tunneling burglars, and livestock that kick.
Vessels and fire, thorns and money,
Lenders, and liars, a struggling donkey.
Taunters and witnesses, judges and bribes,
Shmitta and Shabbos, widows and wives.
In all situations, lift up the mundane,
To the level of sacred, and honor His name.
בס״ד
Yisro
i met a man the other night,
who asked if I was an Israelite
he’d seen my tzitzis in plain sight,
on reflection, he should be right.
but only if I choose to hear,
what he truly asks, as he draws near,
“are you of those whose task is clear,
to teach, how Him to love and fear?”
i call myself a simple Jew,
but that’s a title somewhat new,
as Israelites we had a clue,
of the task which we were meant to do.
to hear Him well, and serve as guides,
to all the Peoples, far and wide,
how to serve Him, as implied,
‘round perek nineteen, pasuk five.
