Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SIMCHAS TORAH (THE REJOICING OF THE LAW), by MORRIS ROSENFELD Poet's Biography First Line: Simchas-torah! Skip and hop Last Line: Ten we spend fasting in sackcloth and ashes. Subject(s): Feasts; Jews; Judaism | ||||||||
"SIMCHAS-TORAH! skip and hop On your feet till down you drop! In your mouth a merry jest And a burden in your breast." (Old Song.) So frisky and fit, At table we sit, We eat what we choose, We drink and are gay. Sing, brother Jews, Be merry today! Cup after cup Drink it all up No need to fear. Lift up your voice, To-day we rejoice, Sing brothers dear. Alas, Jewish singing! And alas! Jewish gladness, What means it; O tell me, And whence is the sadness That weighs on my heart when I hear. I hang down my head Like a child that is chidden. And oft, ere I know it, Uncalled for, unbidden, Falls bitter and burning, A tear! Not always with sorrow Our hopes are requited; And often the sunshine Has brightened our way. We once were a nation Both strong and united, And yet, O my brothers, And yet, to this day We keep not one feast day But still doth remind us Of swords that lie shivered And broken behind us. And old tattered banners, Now useless and furled, Of all our dead heroes, Our great ones who perish, The altars forgotten, The ruins uncherished. And scattered abroad o'er the world No song but contains but Two words of rejoicing, In which we discern not The jesting below, An echo of laughter, Of false bitter laughter, A cry half-despairing Of shame and of woe! ... O great and happy feast-day, Simchas-Torah! High above your head thy bright star flashes To win such a feast-day, one such feast-day, Ten we spend fasting in sackcloth and ashes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RABBI'S SON-IN-LAW by SABINE BARING-GOULD A LITTLE HISTORY by DAVID LEHMAN FOR I WILL CONSIDER YOUR DOG MOLLY by DAVID LEHMAN JEWISH GRAVEYARDS, ITALY by PHILIP LEVINE NATIONAL THOUGHTS by YEHUDA AMICHAI SOUNDS OF THE RESURRECTED DEAD MAN'S FOOTSTEPS (#3): 2. ANGEL ... by MARVIN BELL A CRY FROM THE GHETTO by MORRIS ROSENFELD |
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