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He Won My Affection

Menachem Begin, for 28 years sat on Parliament's back bench Israeli pundits confident he had dug himself a deep trench He shocked the world in '76 when his party won the election Said grace in public and kissed the Torah; won my undying affection __________________________________________________________ Notes: . A Parliament back-bencher is a member of the opposition party . 'Grace' refers to grace over meals, both before and after eating (Not for Contest)

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 12/31/2020 9:20:00 PM

Wonderful clerihew, and they are not easy. This appears effortless but I know better.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 1/1/2021 1:05:00 PM

You are correctimundo. ~ Pains Taken

Sara Kendrick

Date: 12/31/2020 3:08:00 AM

He is not afraid to stand for his beliefs in public which will always be rewarded. Enjoyed reading your work. I am not familiar with his name. Your time spent at my page is appreciated. I hope that the New Year comes in fresh and new for you and that the whole year will be a blessing. Sara

Gershon Wolf
Date: 1/1/2021 1:04:00 PM

Thank you, Sara, and let's hit the 'refresh button' on 2020 now!!

Newton Ranaweera

Date: 12/30/2020 7:57:00 PM

A great tribute, Gershon!! Wish you a Very Happy New Year!!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 9:22:00 PM

Newton, I appreciate your appreciation! May you and yours enjoy the blessing and the bounty of the New Year! Best always, Gershon

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 12/30/2020 7:51:00 PM

Your affectionate tribute to a great man was very well done, Gershon. All good wishes, Evelyn

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:58:00 PM

Thank you, Evelyn. And you're right. He was a great man. It took someone special to knock out Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor in 1982 - top-secret raid, which angered Reagan no end -- until he realized that Begin had saved the planet's life... Thanks again. HNY 2021!! :) gw

Quoth Theraven

Date: 12/30/2020 7:40:00 PM

Gershon, And it was just so. "Peace is the beauty of life. It is sunshine. It is the smile of a child, the love of a mother, the joy of a father, the togetherness of a family. It is the advancement of man, the victory of a just cause, the triumph of truth. Peace is all of these and more and more." Menachem Wolfovitch Begin (born August 16, 1913, Brest-Litovsk, Russia [now in Belarus]—died March 9, 1992, Tel Aviv–Yafo, Israel)

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:56:00 PM

Richard, you have absolutely made my evening. Please know that my father's father was born in Brest-Litovsk, now known as Brisk, AND that I worked at Yeshivas BRISK of Chicago for 14 wonderful years, for the renowned nephew of the Brisker Rav, Rabbi Ahron Soloveitchik. Small world, eh? btw, Ariel Sharon's family hailed from Brest-Litovsk as well... And so it goes... Thanks a million. :) gw

Angela Crabtree

Date: 12/30/2020 6:28:00 PM

A great poem, Gershon. You've written this form perfectly. Hope you have a great night :)

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:11:00 PM

How much do you charge for promotional work. I can't do better than your generous comment, Angela. Thank you, and here's to a HNY 2021! Cheers, Gershon

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 12/30/2020 5:36:00 PM

Good for him. Happy New Year my friend.

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:08:00 PM

Thanks for visiting my site, Richard and HNY 2021 to you and yours! Light and Joy, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 12/30/2020 5:21:00 PM

Wonderful!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:08:00 PM

Thank you, Kim. btw, Mr. Begin and his wife Aliza were inseparable. When she passed away, he faded fast... Best always, Gershon

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/30/2020 12:26:00 PM

I know nothing of this man or the politics involved sO I can only say, as for creating a clerihew, you did a great job!!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 7:03:00 PM

Well, you certainly have made me feel great with such an enthusiastic comment -- regardless of whether or not you know anything about Menachem Begin. Here's one tidbit for you: In 1982, he ordered the top-secret raid -- 1,200 miles round-trip over enemy train with traps set galore -- that knocked out Saddam Hussein's nuclear reactor, which was on the verge of operational functionality. Begin was excoriated by world leaders in public, including Reagan. Privately, they thanked him from the bottom of their hearts for taking the nuclear option away from a certified madman. Begin was one-of-a-kind. Much more to know, including surviving 3 years of torture as a political prisoner in Russia. Read about it in 'White Nights.' Quite a man, Mr. 'B.'

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 12/30/2020 6:38:00 AM

Gershon, I'm so glad Begin's party prevailed. His demonstration of fait is very moving and this is a fine tribute to a great leader. May you be blessed with a happy new year, filled with love and happiness, hopefully in a post-pandemic world. Hugs, Carolyn

Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/30/2020 6:07:00 PM

Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Carolyn... I think my favorite moment of the Begin era -- and I had many favorites -- was this: He was at a 'White House Prayer Event,' where grace was offered before the meal. At the end, Reagan said something like 'That's all folks.' Begin shot up and said 'Excuse me, Mr. President, but a Jew thanks God for the food after he's eaten and sated.' So Begin pulled out a skullcap and prayer book, and preceded to recite the four-minute grace after meals in Hebrew in front of the stunned Mr. Reagan and company... Gershon Wolf and so many others were never prouder!... And there you have it! HNY 2021, Carolyn. Blessings and Bounty, gw