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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A ZEMERLY FOR RABBI NACHMAN: 4. MIRRORS by DAVID RYTMAN SLAVITT

First Line: THE FACE OF THE MOON REFLECTS THE SUN'S BRIGHT LIGHT
Last Line: "TO WORSHIP HIMSELF, WHAT NEED WOULD HE HAVE OF US?"
Subject(s): MIRRORS; RELIGION; SUN; THEOLOGY;
The face of the moon reflects the sun's bright light;
so a disciple's face must receive and mirror
the enlightenment of his master, for it is written
in Scripture how the Lord spoke "Face to Face."

And the master beholds himself in his pupil's face:
Imagine two mirrors in opposition
with their infinite repetitions of one another . . . .
But this, Rabbi Nachman said, only partly in jest,
would be displeasing to heaven. "If God were content
to worship Himself, what need would He have of us?"



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