[Audio below.] The following is a shiur delivered by Harav Yisroel Reisman, maggid shiur in Yeshiva Torah Vodaas and mara d’asra of Agudath Israel of Madison. The shiur, on Parshas Va’eschanon, was delivered to Rav Reisman’s alumni over the telephone.
To listen to the shiur, click HERE.
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Parasha Poetry: Every Monday evening. RSVP 054-224-2649 with Esther Cameron, editor of Deronda Review. We welcome all poets no matter the expertise. Come study the parasha and put your writings out for rightings.
PARASHA POETRY VA’ESCHANAN: FOOLISHNESS OR WISDOM AND COMFORT
by Evelyn Haies,
Post Tisha B’Av, Pre Nachamu
©July 28 2015
Tisha B’Av is a day we remember the decrees of Jewish history
the korban caused by failings, inconsistency and stupidity.
We remember the sin of the spies, the golden calf,
The fears and manipulations that caused the nation to suffer wrath.
From a people who endured slavery,
There was victory when they showed bravery.
Following Moses, they walked on dry land
In the midst of the sea which only God could have planned
It was His demands and miracles
That were a lesson in spirituals
It was fear and scare tactics that spoiled their antics
Foolishness, bowing to idols, surrendering and frantic.
And the world looked on, alarmed by their shame.
They were the blame for evil to claim.
No matter freedom, the miracles and manna
The conquest of Sihon and Og, a banner
No matter the positive, they bowed to negatives
Supporting the enemy and their ruthless perogatives
They bent and wavered and lost site of their rights
Forgetting destiny, dignity and heavenly delight.
With His Commandments and Ordinances,
Righteousness and justice gave them the chances.
Forgetting, yielding to the fake, complaining over nonsense
Was their miscalculation and cause of incompetence
Failing to remember they let themselves be dismembered
Allowed cruelty and destruction their ugly tempers
Steadfast with Torah and following their Lord
Surrender would not be their accord.
Wisdom was a fact with which they needed to react.
Comfort was the result of keeping their laws intact.
History revealed the mystery that came from their ancestry
It was them or us, choosing Him was their mastery.
With wisdom of old, recalling the pain
With oneness renewed so much they could attain.
Moses, the Torah, love and creation
Never yielding to hate, pogroms and evacuation.
The teshuva of the brothers and the comfort of Yosef
The will to disobey of Shifra and Puah begot Moses
Repair and recognition of right would wipe out all blight
Acting with wisdom justice is forthright.
It is HASHEM that rules the world not the mantra of the many
But the harmony of One, HASHEM, the father of our destiny
Foolishness and trusting in idolatry is a failing philosophy
Wisdom and unity is the answer for longevity, posterity.
Nachamu. Nachamu. To HASHEM, we must be true
Comfort, Comfort, it’s a result of being a righteous Jew.
Consolation. Consolation. It’s a promised destination.
It’s part of The Book made for our Holy Nation
Tu B’AV. Tu B’AV. It is a time for blessings and love.
Unity and Harmony are a gift from the ONE ABOVE