The Jew On The Cross
The Jew on the cross
Where did he go?
Dishonoured Jew
Brought down so low
What is your true story
Where is the place of your glory?
Search the seas until dry
Search your soul until you cry
Search the peoples, tongues and homes
Search until the house is empty
Empty the tomes
Every corner is without a trace
Of the Jew on the cross
Without a face
Look! On the empty wall
In our heart’s empty hall
A Chagall masterpiece!
They used his prayer shawl
for his loin cloth…
Truth will never cease!
Certainly, if his portrait is here
The Jew on the cross is near!
Why the deafening silence?
Is it from pretence or reliance?
Like a lamb before the slaughter
Like the burning of the leaven
Like Jerusalem’s little daughter
Has every Jew ascended into heaven?
Take hold of their tsitsiot
Is this where you’ll go?
Do not retreat
And then your repentance will show.
Is the Jew a non-Jew when dead?
Is this why the Jew on the cross
Seemed to be a Gentile instead?
It would be the greatest loss
Oh Blessed Holy One
Your work be done!
My thoughts are like birds
Coming to Your word
As to a bird feeder
You are the only Leader
But my thoughts flutter and fan each other
They are just children
Beneath the wings of their mother
My heart like the heart of a wren
Like the heart of a sparrow
Hopes in You
Hopes to learn and to know
Feed my thoughts
Rest the fluttering wings of my thoughts
Relieve my sins from casting lots
Strengthen my ears against my fears
My mind is a newly hatched bird
Strengthen my mind with the life of Your word