Gershon Wolf Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

How could I write a poem like this without some Yiddish? It would break my heart... 

The Sabbath in the Olden Times

  ~ Sabbath in the Olden Times ~
    (Shabbos in der Alter Tzeiten)                   The title in the Yiddish language


    Mama lit the candles
      Totty blessed the wine                            Father
    Tova's white headband                              Female (here, a girl) first name
      her hair and face a-shine

    Duvid sang a zemer                                  Boy's nickname; Sabbath song
      Totty and the orech pitched in                 Guest
    The kneidlach oh-so-delicious                    Matzo balls (in the soup)
      On Shabbos eating's no sin  

    We benched grace in style                         After-meal blessings
      tender melodies lingered a while...
    Time to wish a teyere 'Gut Shabbos'           A precious 'Good Sabbath'
      up to bed for a sweet night's rest

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Bj Legros Kelley December 23, 2023 at 1:18 PM So very lovely, thank you for sharing this Gershon. :) <3

Shirley Hawkins December 22, 2023 at 6:15 PM A charming, cosy, comforting, rhyme. A lovely poem full of tradition and warmth.

Regina Elliott December 22, 2023 at 2:53 PM Oh, how charming, Gershon! I can sense the warmth and the family love. Wonderful read. Have a grand weekend. Shalom, good friend. ~ Gershon Wolf December 23, 2023 at 7:41 PM Shalom to you, Regina. Wishing you the joy and bounty of the season. :) Gershon

Sam Kauffman December 21, 2023 at 10:16 AM Gershon, you have captured both the beauty and the celebration of the Sabbath - "Shabbos." The food, family and the blessings! Thank you for inviting us to your Sabbath celebration. So beautiful. I hope your holidays were filled with blessings - a joyful celebration of light and miracles! Gershon Wolf December 23, 2023 at 7:40 PM Thank you for your nice wishes, Sam. They came true, I tell you. Merriment and Happiness to you too, Gershon

Panagiota Romios December 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM You kmust know, I love this write. Those of us who have never had the joy and blessings of being born, Jewish, have little or no idea of the beauty and meaning of that night. I wanted to add, the preparations for Shabbos, are amazingly specific. Pangie Bas Noacch Gershon Wolf December 23, 2023 at 7:38 PM Thank you for the love on this one, Pangie. Thank G-d for Shabbos is all I can say.