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'in the Desert'

~ A Poem on the Parsha* ~ 'In the Sinai Desert' A wilderness - barren, desolate that snakes and scorpions populate Flat, sand-swept, open to all who yearn to hear Eternity's call There God led His new nation Spoke to three million, atop a mountain gradation On Horeb, the lowliest of them face-to-face ~ Moses and Jerusalem ________________________________________________ *'Parsha' is Hebrew for (loosely) 'portion.' Every Sabbath a portion of the Five Books of Moses is read in the synagogue. In a year's time, all five books are completed, and the grand occasion is celebrated at the last holiday of the Fall Harvest Season, 'Simchas Torah.' (lit., 'Rejoic- ing with the Law.'). This Sabbath, the portion read is titled 'In the Desert,' from the Book of Numbers 1:1 - 4:20.

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Michael Tor

Date: 5/21/2023 1:09:00 PM

Gershon I love when you share biblical truth in your personal life. Your teaching here is one I adore and will make a favorite. To always be reminded. Do more tutorials of the Jewish customs and teachings they are treasured words from you. God bless you for sharing...

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/21/2023 7:51:00 PM

Doin' my best to keep 'em coming, Michael. For you, as well as for myself! So appreciative that I have an audience. Thank you... There's one today I wrote on the Pentecost. You're invited. Thanks again, Gershon

Yann Rolland

Date: 5/20/2023 8:29:00 PM

beautiful poemn profound calling, yes indeed, in the desert we find eternity, thanks for the touching and profound penning

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/20/2023 9:13:00 PM

Appreciate your appreciation, yann. Here's to a blessed Sunday! ~ Gershon

Panagiota Romios

Date: 5/20/2023 11:12:00 AM

I hope you enlighten us more like this.not all os us here know what Christians call, The Old Testament I always wanted to attend a Simchat Torah. Rabbi Ted Alexander from California was a joy and a joker.anyways I never did, we should not put things off on our lives. There is no certainty there will be a tomorrow, no matter our age,, Pangie

Panagiota Romios
Date: 5/21/2023 8:47:00 AM

I sometimes question my abilities as a poet or being here at all. Meaning, being far too truthful and not here to win! I simpy don’t see poetry as a contest. Baseball sure, Hockey, yes.poetry, no.I wish the competing were not here,I know poets do not need a contest to write. Team Poetry could run contests once or twice a year..That makes sense. Who am I to judge poets work? What literary knowledge do I have that makes me competent? I am way far too lacking to do so..lastly, Poetry is not a sport. Pangie

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/20/2023 9:11:00 PM

Glad you like the poem, P., and I'll do my best to accommodate. Thank you for your support and encouragement, and --- for just being you!! ~ Happy Sunday, Gershon

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/19/2023 6:04:00 PM

I am reading a poet’s book called “Wilderness to Water” In the book he says quarantine comes from the Italian word which means 40 days and of course we know the number 40 is quite significant. So many interesting facts!

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/20/2023 9:07:00 PM

Hey, Kim! Thanks for the tip. I just looked at Wikipedia. They have a nice section on the history of the word and the practice. They even got the Biblical account right. Pretty impressive! Have a blessed Sunday, my friend. :) gw

Bill Baker

Date: 5/19/2023 4:28:00 PM

The poem fits well with the scriptures, Gershon. I love those first five books because they are a complete story of the love God has for His chosen people. they're great faith and God's great provision as they wandered through the desert. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I understand celebrating after reading the Penetude. Yearly is impressive to me. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Gershon Wolf
Date: 5/19/2023 4:39:00 PM

Thank you so much, Bill! Your appreciation for Scipture and encouragement mean so much to me, esp. as I really 'fight for the right words' on these type of poems. Wishing you Sabbath Peace and Blessing, Gershon