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A Great Goy

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Some of my Poetry Soup friends have been called 'goy' by Jews with whom they've interacted in the past.  It seems to be a pejorative term.  But things aren't quite what they seem to be, as you'll see in this poem.  Enjoy!

In Observant Jewish communities everywhere From Jerusalem to New York The word 'Goy' is used pejoratively (Hebrew: Person/People/Nation) --No differently than pork Yet examine its history carefully And you'll come to see-- That the term bestows great honor On every 'goyish' he and she On Planet Earth's Family Tree The first 'Goy' was Avraham the Patriarch The most righteous Jew of all God promised him myriad descendants To build up a great Hebrew Nation, a 'Goy Ga-dol. (Hebrew: Great Nation) Next came the Patriarch Jacob The father of Israel's Twelve Tribes When in Mother Rebecca's womb with twin Esau-- Two nations, 'Shnay Goyim,' there did strive. (Hebrew: 2 nations) And then there's the whole Jewish Nation God called them a 'Goy Ka-dosh,' a Holy Creation: (Hebrew: Holy People) He gave them the Torah on Mount Sinai And elevated the Jewish People to be A Kingdom of Priests A Holy Nation For all the world to see. * * * * * To be called a 'Goy' is truly an Honor quite dear, One that God reserves for those personages to whom He feels especially near!

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 4/20/2018 9:57:00 PM
Bless you Gershon! Fascinating stuff, I'm actually not surprised. I was never called goy in any offensive way (to my face), was more a matter of fact. I did feel some discrimination which was a jewel of an experience, being a minority for the first time; my biggest lesson was gleaned from bonding with an Israeli girl who was just as discriminated against for being Israeli: people are people. <3
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Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 4/21/2018 10:12:00 PM
Thank you for reading this, for your fascinating comments, for sharing your experience,...for everything you always do, Maureen! And I think that you nailed the bottom line: People are people. No one can change human nature. :) gw
Mcgreavy Avatar
Maureen Mcgreavy
Date: 4/20/2018 9:59:00 PM
* not "surprised" only due to pre-existing fascination with word origins. xomo!
Date: 4/20/2018 9:29:00 PM
Oy Vey - I thought I would show off with probably the only Jewish word I know. Sorry if it's inappropriate in this circumstance. Maybe I should expand my Jewish vocabulary. Congratulations on your well penned poem, Gershon. Much appreciated.
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Wolf Avatar
Gershon Wolf
Date: 4/21/2018 10:14:00 PM
Now you've got me interested, Line! Perhaps you can show off in a soup mail...Your comments are ALWAYS welcome. :) gw

Book: Shattered Sighs