Why It’s Still Burning
They were walking in front of me,
On the way to shul.
They were all dressed up,
Heeding each fashion rule.
I could just imagine
Their kind of talk.
All the latest gossip
Would take up their walk.
Undoubtedly judging others, like:
“That one could use tips!”
Divrei Torah? Far from their lips.
Then they stopped short – I was up close.
I caught their words. And what do you suppose,
They were speaking about before the talk by the Rav?
“We’ve still no Beis Ha Mikdash.”
(It was Tisha B’ Av.)
“I want to feel our loss. Not let this chance go by.”
Said the other, “We’ve all good reason to cry.”
Sinas Chinam – baseless hate.
They taught me a lesson
On an appropriate date.
I was the one judging.
There’s good reason to mourn.
With my mouth hanging open,
A resolve to build, born.
Bracha Goetz is the author of 37 children’s books, including Hashem’s Candy Store, What Do You See in Your Neighborhood? and The Invisible Book.
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