Do You Know Me

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I am shocked, quite frankly, to see how the world still demonizes the Pharisees, the Jews. Hopefully this poem wll contribute to a better understanding of this much-maligned people.

My friend, do you know me?
   I am a Pharisee
No, not per the dictionary
  Which mischaracterizes my beliefs and me

For while he keeps the tradition, it's true
  A Pharisee's an ever-evolving Jew
He delves deep into the Talmud to learn the ways
  to deal with the problems of the world today

Thanks to the Pharisees a Jewish-Israeli farmer
   can halakhically* 'Sabbath-milk' a cow in its barn, or
devotedly observe Passover or Yom Kippur
  be he in the jungle, outer space, or Kuala Lumpur

What's more, be it abortion, euthanasia or homosexuality
  the Talmud treats current issues of controversiality --
A Pharisee views the times in light of the Talmud, you see
  ~ differentiating his faith from Hebraic-Christianity**


________________________________________________
* halakhically = in accordance with Jewish Law, in this case
                        the laws of the Sabbath
** Practitioners (for a few generations after Jesus Christ) 
                        were known as Hebrew-Christians.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2019



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Date: 1/1/2020 5:21:00 PM
I recognize you as "ever evolving" as your poetry is a testimony to that.
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Date: 1/1/2020 2:10:00 AM
Yes I do, when I was at work I worked with many nationalities and of course many of different faiths. I have respect for all and doesn't matter to me what a person believes in, in conversations I found out a lot about people's beliefs which I found interesting, yes we didn't agree with everything we discussed but one thing we agreed on there is only one supreme being, God. Happy New year Gershon. Tom
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Gershon Wolf
Date: 1/1/2020 9:22:00 AM
Thank you for the in-depth, insightful comment. And surely, (excluding the atheistic crowd) despite any and all differences, we can agree that there is only one Supreme Being, just like you wrote. Tom, thank you for your support over the past year. May we continue to support each other n the days, weeks, and months to come! Cheers, Gershon
Date: 12/31/2019 10:09:00 PM
many men many minds; many minds many beliefs; many beliefs many cultures; many cultures many deeds; many deeds many societies; many societies make different gods according to their deeds, cultures, beliefs …….///
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Gershon Wolf
Date: 1/1/2020 9:13:00 AM
I really like your comment, big-time, Mahtab! It fits this motif: Multitudinous societies and cultures midst a multiverse creation! Happy 2020 to you and your family! Warm wishes, Gershon
Date: 12/31/2019 8:56:00 PM
Hi Gershon, Yes I do know you from a poetry aspect. Even though we haven’t met face to face, I feel like I do know ”a glimpse “ of you from your poetry. As far as who you are from your ethnicity and your religion, I feel like you have showed (in my opinion only) us in spades if we viewed the subtleties.Futhermore, Our beliefs in God may differ but I have much respect for you because you stand in your truth.
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Gershon Wolf
Date: 12/31/2019 9:05:00 PM
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Alexis! I too have much respect for your (and for all Christians') beliefs. And as I ask people who question my Jewishness this time of year: 'What's wrong with 'Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards Men? !' Those people usually have no answer, of course! Thank you again, and Season's best! ~ Gershon
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