Shavuot: Z’man Matan Torateinu –
‘The season of the giving of our Torah’
The voice of
the Eternal
that spoke
in thunder
on Mount Sinai
overwhelmed
by another thunder
the roaring howl of
war
Eternal teachings
shrouded
in clouds of
dust
hidden
under mountains of
rubble
a wilderness of
shattered
homes
schools
hospitals
no one
and nothing
can stand
in this wasteland
the people of Gaza
caught
between oppressors
trapped
starved
crushed
the remaining hostages
holed-up
underground
deserted.
Still
there are
witnesses
who know
the Eternal teachings
by heart
and practice them
who understand
that the words of
the Eternal
are eternally
present
commanding
demanding
even when
concealed
evaded
denied:
Love your neighbour
as yourself[1]
Learn to do
good
seek Justice
defend
the oppressed[2]
Seek
Peace
and pursue it[3]
A stranger
you shall not
oppress
for you know
the nefesh
(the inner-being)
of the stranger[4]
Love
the stranger
as yourself[5]
Justice
Justice
you shall
pursue.[6]
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah