Psalm 16: Why Are My Shuls Empty?

Psalm 16: Why Are My Shuls Empty? 

Why are my shuls empty? 
Where have all the prayers gone? 
Today is Yom Shishi, 
Why can’t We hear your song? 

Where are all the children?
Making ruckus in the halls, 
Where are all the gossips, 
Chatting low behind the walls? 

Where are all the mourners? 
Who know not how to grieve? 
Why can’t I see their tears, 
As they mumble words of peace? 

Where are all my people? 
Who privately call out? 
Alone they’re weak and feeble, 
But together they can shout. 

I want my houses filled, 
With children and with gossips, 
I want the ignorant, 
And the ones with all the knowledge. 

G-d’s house is still our home, 
Where we gather, one and all, 
Around it is His iron dome, 
G-d’s love that heard our call. 

All prayers do get heard, 
From each and every soul, 
But when we pray together, 
It’s greater than us all. 

For when we are united, 
Inside of one big tent, 
Chanting prayers, undivided, 
In one holy event, 
Our devotion gets ignited, 
By our communal bliss, 
And our King becomes delighted, 
That we have fixed our social rifts. 

So please go back to Shul,
G-d is waiting for you there, 
Do not worry that it’s been so long, 
The past has passed so do not care. 

Find yourself a seat, 
Beside your fellow Jew, 
Smile when you see them,
And ask them, “how are you?” 

And maybe grab a Siddur, 
And try some of the prayers, 
Or look inside your heart, 
And read what’s written there. 

But do these things together, 
Do not stand alone, 
For one is good but two is better, 
And together we’ll make this home.  

~~~

If you enjoy my work, please consider supporting it by sharing this publication with anyone you think may also appreciate it.

Given the current intellectual boycott of Zionist Voices, your support means everything.

Thank you for your continued support of the Zionist Voice.