“As ones who now determine our own destiny, we now have an obligation that Jews historically did not have to deal with – treating the stranger in our midst.
The words that we repeat in the HaggadahLit. "Telling.” The haggadah is the book used at the seder table on Passover to tell the story of the Exodus, the central commandment of the holiday. It is rich in song, prayer, and legend. There are many different version of the Haggadah produced throughout Jewish history. – ‘Remember that you were slaves in Egypt’ – are not only meant to remind us to not take our freedom for granted, but can also be seen as a message about remembering how we were treated as strangers – and how we should treat other strangers now.”
The JerusalemLit. City of peace From the time of David to the Roman destruction, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the spiritual and governmental center of the Jewish people. During the long exile, Jews longed to return to Jerusalem and wrote poems, prayers, and songs about the beloved city. In 1967, with the capture of the Old City, Jerusalem was reunited, becoming "the eternal capital of Israel." Still, the longing for peace is unfulfilled. Post, Editorial, April 18, 2019
The words that we repeat in the HaggadahLit. "Telling.” The haggadah is the book used at the seder table on Passover to tell the story of the Exodus, the central commandment of the holiday. It is rich in song, prayer, and legend. There are many different version of the Haggadah produced throughout Jewish history. – ‘Remember that you were slaves in Egypt’ – are not only meant to remind us to not take our freedom for granted, but can also be seen as a message about remembering how we were treated as strangers – and how we should treat other strangers now.”
The JerusalemLit. City of peace From the time of David to the Roman destruction, Jerusalem was the capital of Israel and the spiritual and governmental center of the Jewish people. During the long exile, Jews longed to return to Jerusalem and wrote poems, prayers, and songs about the beloved city. In 1967, with the capture of the Old City, Jerusalem was reunited, becoming "the eternal capital of Israel." Still, the longing for peace is unfulfilled. Post, Editorial, April 18, 2019
Two melodies pull the soul:
First, the marching song
fueling the beating heart
pumping the
Messianic delivery of freedom.
fueling the beating heart
pumping the
Messianic delivery of freedom.
And the counter melody,
soothing threads
opening the heart
bring a tear to the eye.
soothing threads
opening the heart
bring a tear to the eye.
The song of freedom
in one ear
singing defiantly–
never again;
in one ear
singing defiantly–
never again;
The song of humility
in the other,
a song of compassion
for the victim
in the other,
a song of compassion
for the victim
Polar emotions are not foreign
to the human condition
we evolutionary survivors
claim the sword and the plow.
to the human condition
we evolutionary survivors
claim the sword and the plow.
We are warriors built to fight–
look at the ancient cities
built on hilltops
surrounded by fortified walls.
look at the ancient cities
built on hilltops
surrounded by fortified walls.
We are builders built to prosper–
look at the modern cities
offices, factories, schools, places of worship,
homes filled with thriving families.
look at the modern cities
offices, factories, schools, places of worship,
homes filled with thriving families.
There is a time to make war,
there is a time to make peace.
In each soul both sing.
Listen to the tune hardest to hear.
there is a time to make peace.
In each soul both sing.
Listen to the tune hardest to hear.
