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Beyond V’Ahavta

Please don’t make me your project or your mitzvah for the day
Don’t make me your mascot, lucky charm that wins your game
Don’t push me away and then smile and pretend
All I really want is a friend.
 
 V’ahavta l’raicha cmocha…(3x) cmocha, cmocha…
ואהבת לרעך כמוך….
 
Please don’t use me for credit in that service learning class
If someone did that to you you’d realize it’s just plain crass.
Don’t treat me like I’m stupid even if you think I do things “wrong”
Who says that I can’t sing a different song?
 
V’ahavta l’acher cmocha…(3x) cmocha, cmocha…
ואהבת לאחר כמוך….
 
 Please don’t look at me with pity in your eyes
Don’t think that I don’t see when you’ve got a scornful smile
I know sometimes I’m awkward, can’t relax in my own skin,
All I really want is to be let in….
 
Bridge:
Buddha said, “Hurt not others with that which pains you.”
Jesus said, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Muhammed said, “Do to others what you wish they’d do for you.”
Every culture preaches about this very same rule….
 
V’ahavta l’zar cmocha…(3x) cmocha, cmocha…
ואהבת לזר כמוך….
 

Beyond V’Ahavta by Joanie Calem © Jan. 1, 2019

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