A Shadorma I recall the scribe's quill pressing into me; marking me with holy Torah verses- ancient passages I recall being left to dry; then rolled up; plastic wrapped; inserted into a case; taken to my home I recall being affixed to the doorpost; to observe all the comings and goings of my family I… Continue reading Mezuzah, or: The doorposts of thy house
A 'Cento' poem Sources: Kaddish by Leon Wieseltier, 2000 (p. 18) [in italics] Kaddish.com by Nathan Englander, 2019 (p. 18) [in bold] Cento: Sabbath arrives- committed disbelief in worship, mikvah-dipping, synagogue- attending, my spiritual purpose part in parcel with transliteration of the prayer; the very same things in the very same way- the customs that… Continue reading Kaddish, or: Kaddish.com
A haibun My wife, having grown up in Russia, is very attached to celebrating Novy God (the Gregorian New Year). Every year, she prepares several Russian-style salads, purchases gifts for our daughter, and hangs lights around the apartment. I'm not opposed to any of this, but I don't identify with it. Still, the food is… Continue reading New Year’s, or: Novy God
A 'Candlelight' poem Today we live free of harsh Greek decrees. Jews commemorate; lights emanate from our windows. Our kiddos play games, sing songs, and watch the twirl of those small bright flames, while licking greasy fingers. Candlelight poetic form? 17 lines; Syllabic: 5-5-5-4-4-3-2-2-2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-7; Rhymed: a-a-b-b-c-c-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x; Centered on the page. d'Verse poetics prompt At d'Verse,… Continue reading Souls on fire, or: Lights emanate
On the momentous occasion, the youth nearly floundered before her humble hut but, shaking, managed to present Elder Aric with the fern leaf. "Greetings, Elder… Vedia offers tribute… We honor our roots." This piece of flash fiction was written in response to: The Sunday Muse #238; Fandango’s One-Word Challenge: 'flounder'; Ragtag Daily Prompt Saturday: 'roots';… Continue reading We honor our roots
Some tidbits of context As I've noted, Simchat Torah (literally: 'The Joy of the Torah') is the final holiday of the Jewish High Holy Day season in Israel that begins with Rosh haShannah (literally: 'The Head of the Year'). As somebody who lacks the basic tenets of faith that underlie the theological intentions behind the… Continue reading Three parenting highlights from Simchat Torah
A Choka festive holiday Jews dance with the Torah scroll I stand to the side when I attend on my own else remain at home some literally kiss the scroll blissful faces shine concentric circles of Jews expressions of love how to encourage my child to love traditions I find alienating ancient traditions tie our… Continue reading The happiness of the Torah, or: Feh!
Poetry Partners #49 'On vacation', a poem by Maria L. Berg of 'Experience Writing' We visited And something else disappeared pieces of shared experience taking up residence in the paintings on your forehead and the crook behind a slightly bent left leg The apartment didn't want to keep me so we met in other places… Continue reading On vacation, or: For the funeral
The Skeptic's Kaddish 🇮🇱 
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