stripped bare
shivering
my faultlines exposed
I stand before Him
no one to defend me
my record speaks for itself
shame, far too mild a word
I stand before Him
knocking at His door, poor in deeds
asking for another year of life
not because I deserve it
but because He is gracious
merciful, patient, long-suffering
abundant in kindness and truth
Sam Adams found out
Via DNA testing
On Rosh Hashanah
He was part Jewish.
That he indeed
was part Jewish.
maybe 10% according to the DNA test
confirming family lore.
He went to dinner with Jewish friends
Celebrating his first Rosh Hashana
As a Jewish man.
the next day while touring the holocaust museum
For the first time in his life
Sam Adams encountered three young white MAGA boys
Wearing red hats and making
Sexually suggestive jokes about Jewish women
While they were touring the holocaust museum.
One wondered if the Nazi guards
Were given an opportunity
To have sex with Jewish women
Before they were killed.
Sam Adams was very angry
and wanted to confront the MAGA boys
But finally decided what the hell,
It probably would not
Make a difference
They might think that he was just
An old Jewish man.
And dismiss his complaints.
The holocaust museum moved him deeply
And he vowed to himself
that he would do all he could to make sure
The world would never see another holocaust.
First fruits brought to the Temple were not a one-off affair
They were first brought on the Pentecost right up to the New Year
Farmers, each with his own basket, formed a lively parade
Singing songs of praise while a flautist merrily played
The artisans of Jerusalem met them at the city’s gate
Welcoming those who put delicious fruits on their plate
Then the King himself placed a basket of fruit onto his shoulder
Joining the parade as a humble stakeholder
The ceremony of the First Fruits, a new beginning for us all
Glory to God for the miracle of fruit, inside the Holy Temple’s walls
_______________________________________________________
The first fruits for which the Land of Israel is blessed - wheat, barley,
grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates - can be brought each
year from Shavuos/Pentecost (late May or June to Rosh Hashana/New
Year (Sept. or early October).
This is part of the Torah portion read this Saturday in synagogues
world over. See Deteronomy 26: 1-15
When you feel you want to despair
It's a sign that God truly cares
Comes Rosh Hashana this season
~ Search deep for the reason
______________________________
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year,
begins early Sunday evening and ends
on Tuesday evening. One of the holi-
day's many themes is 'Repentance,'
requiring an examination of one's
deeds over the past year.
Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur
Day of Judgment, Day of Atonement
Weeping openly in synagogue
Praying for our very lives
As if our hair were on fire...
Sukkoth, Festival of Tabernacles
Celebrating the Harvest
The Spiritual and Agricultural
Offerings brought for each
Nation of the World
One festival left now
No more weeping
Only one offering
To Him, the King of Kings
Celebrating Him and
the Torah He gave us
Dancing with pure Joy
on Simchas Torah
Hallelujah!
_________________________
Shemini Atzeres/Simchas Torah
begins at sundown this evening
A New Year beckons
God reckons
Jews pray
for sweeter days
Rosh Hashana begins
at sundown tonight.
See you next year!
The days dwindle to a precious few
The old year like lightning speedily flew
A bright new year's poised to push on through
But first is conducted a thorough review
Our deeds weighed, the bad with the good
Against what we would do if we could
Unlock the potential that lies dormant inside us
At the expense of trivialities superfluous
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year
begins Friday night, September 18
The Holy Temple came into play in a very big way
When Rosh Hashana fell on the Sabbath Day
Nowhere else were permitted shofar blasts
An historic glimpse into Israel's past
The issue, not the actual shofar blowing
But its transporting, if you will -- its 'towing'
For on the Sabbath, to carry an item is not allowed
Not even a shofar to fulfill a precept for a synagogue crowd
Yet into the Holy Temple, carrying was permitted
Ten sacrifices brought: sheep and rams admitted
Expiation for Israel's sins required every day
Her moral compass not allowed to decay
There is no Temple today, Rosh Hashana will come and go
This year on the Sabbath, our shofars lay low
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