The Torah In Haiku: D’varim

July 22, 2024Helene Kohn

D'varim

Leafing through the past
With the lens of the present
Essential Torah

Va-et'chanan

Lifelong instructions
For My treasured peoplehood
Is a complex task

Eikev

As your Guardian
Of guaranteed safe passage,
You remained unworn

R'eih

See between choices
Adept at discerning truth
Yes, altruism

Shof'tim

How judge humankind?
Hold My teachings at your side
Double down justice

Ki Teitzei

Hyper-specific
Unsettling, human rights laws
Remember all this

Ki Tavo

Powerful curses,
Foreboding consequences
Let us say AMEN

Nitzavim/Vayeilech

The heart of Torah
Is not baffling nor distant,
Ever-present choice

Haazinu

Hear Moses' fervor
We were borne on Eagles' wings
Our enduring Rock.

Simchat Torah - Coda

Precious descendants, 
I ascend, my gaze meets yours,
At peace, a last breath.

Rosh Hashanah

This is my practice
Of fresh-sweetened intentions
These are my people

Yom Kippur

In 24 hours,
Indulgent contemplation
Center and reset

Yizkor

Starry beams of light
Buried amidst memories
My constellations

Related Posts

Envisioning Home

Some of the best stories from our tradition involve a question presented on one level that is answered on a completely different and surprising level.